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If you’re a history buff or nature lover, look no further than Lincolnshire for your £9.50 Holiday this year.

After all, this is a county that is not only home to some of England’s most historic buildings and documents, but also has a coastline packed with nature reserves rolling into the unspoilt countryside of the Lincolnshire Wolds. 

A great starting point for your deep dive into history would be Lincoln with its impressive Cathedral and rare Magna Carta status, or a Georgian market town like Louth.

For something more out-of-the-ordinary, you could hop onto a vintage steam train or discover the small, family-run Claythorpe Watermill that dates back 300 years (tip: seasonal opening, closed in winter).

And to embrace nature, you could simply gaze at the sea and birdlife from the comfort of a marine observatory, explore a nature reserve or even witness seal pups being born.

We’ve spoken to Sun readers who have visited Lincolnshire on £9.50 Holidays to get their recommendations of the best local natural and historic attractions to visit.

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We’ve also asked local experts and holiday park staff for their top tips, and have our own suggestions, with options that are all within easy reach of your £9.50 Holiday.

Here’s what you need to know… 

Explore Louth

Around half an hour inland, Louth is a historic market town that’s home to the tallest mediaeval parish church spire in England.

Alex Trembath, creator of the Lincoln and Beyond blog, said: “You can climb 199 steps to the top of St James’ Church with its 55-metre-high tower for views all the way to the coast.”

A great way to keep costs down is to use the Callconnect Bus Service, which runs six days a week (Monday to Saturday).

Joanne Green, General Manager at Sunnydale holiday park, said: “You can call or use the app and they will pick you up from the park and take you to Louth for £2 for a single ticket.”

Once you’re in Louth, Joanne recommends the weekly markets that sell everything from fresh bread to local meats and crafts.

She added: “Louth is lovely. It’s quite an oldie woldie town with little trinket shops, delicatessens and locally owned businesses.”  

Vintage woodland cinema

How about a cinema experience with a difference? The Kinema In The Woods is an old-fashioned, two-screen cinema dating back to 1922.

Housed inside a 19th-century sports pavilion in Woodhall Spa, it’s the UK’s only fully functioning cinema in the UK to use back projection, and watching a film here is like heading inside a time warp.

Sarah Al-Aidi, General Manager at Southview Holiday Park, said: “They have old-fashioned confectionery and during the intermission, an organist comes up through the stage – so it’s a real event.

Just around the corner, there’s the vintage Tea House in the Woods so you could go for a cream tea before a movie night (cream teas cost £7.50).”  

Cathedrals and castles in Lincoln 

For a dose of culture, it’s worth making the hour’s drive inland to Lincoln.

This compact city has a rich history, with Roman waterways, Viking street names and a Medieval Bishops’ Palace to discover.

It’s also home to the Lincoln Cathedral, which was the world’s tallest building for two centuries and Lincoln Castle, which was built by William the Conqueror and contains one of only four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta.

Sun reader Linda McDonnell, 71, is from Lincoln and recommends the historic Bailgate area.

She said: “Have a look at what we call the Bail. It’s got a Roman arch (Newport Arch) and lots of nice cafes and independent shops. There’s so much history there.

“I like the White Hart Hotel, too – it has a good restaurant.”

Lose track of time on a vintage steam train

Alex Trembath recommends the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway for a blend of history and nature.

He said: “You can ride on an old steam train through the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds.

“You can pick from a themed event, like a Santa Special or Father’s Day experience, or even ride in the cab of a steam locomotive from Ludborough to North Thoresby and back.”

While some of the experiences, like riding the footplate and operating a signal box, are for over-18s, kids will love the Santa experience, which includes a journey accompanied by elves and Santa, plus a gift at the end.

See seals at Donna Nook

North of Mablethorpe, Donna Nook is one of the UK’s largest grey seal colonies, and one of only four in England.

More than 2,000 seal pups are born every year on this remote stretch of sand – and you can see them in the breeding season (October to December).

Tip: Make sure you stick to the viewing area. It’s located at the foot of the sand dunes, to minimise disturbance to the seals and keep visitors safe.

Abandoned or injured pups are cared for 12 miles away, at Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre. Come here afterwards to meet rescued seals, seabirds and other animals.

Explore the coastal nature reserve

The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is not to be missed, especially if you enjoy wildlife and walking.

Stretching for five miles along the coast from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, it incorporates eight nature reserves and numerous beaches.

The vast, open coastline and sand dunes provide the perfect habitat for wildflowers, reptiles and birds – keep your eyes peeled for oystercatchers, short-eared owls and swifts arriving from Africa.

Walking routes range from coastal strolls to long-distance treks inland and there are routes by Lincolnshire County Council you can follow.

Head further south, passing through Skegness, and you’ll reach another nature reserve by the sea – Gibraltar Point.

Alex Trembath recommends this for a day out with the kids, saying: “Gibraltar Point is great for families.

It’s a nature reserve with educational activities on beach, sand dune and saltmarsh habitats.

There is lots of signed information and volunteers so you can ask questions.”

North Sea Observatory

Linda McDonnell recommends the North Sea Observatory as a wet weather option.

Opened in 2018, it’s the UK’s only purpose-built marine observatory. Inside, you’ll find maps and info boards about the surrounding nature, and there are pop-up art exhibitions.

There’s also a cafe, which provides binoculars so you can get the best views of the sea life, which could include wild swans in winter, breeding species in summer and swallows in September.

Linda said: “It’s a great place to go and watch the birds and wildlife, and it’s indoors so good even if it’s raining.”

It’s also a bargain – completely free to enter (although it costs around £1 for two hours parking).

Keeping the kids entertained on holiday is a non-stop job, especially when sunshine isn’t guaranteed.

Thankfully, Devon has loads to offer families, from days spent building sandcastles on beaches to adventure parks with fun rides and animals to meet. 

There are plenty of options if you’re looking to keep on a budget, with free things to do around the county, from events to museums that don’t cost a penny. 

We chatted to local experts and Sun readers who know Devon well to find out what they would recommend to families heading there on a £9.50 Holiday. 

We’ve also added in our own tips, plus Tripadvisor top-rated family attractions, so you and your family will have a £9.50 Holiday to remember… 

Fun on the farm

If you and the family are based in North Devon, a day out could be well spent at The Big Sheep, around a 45-minute drive from Croyde and its surrounding beaches.

Paul Braithwaite, General Manager at Ruda Holiday Park, said: “The Big Sheep is a family-friendly theme park with animals and attractions – including North Devon’s biggest and fastest rollercoaster.”

The park is a good rainy day option, with an indoor playground including giant slides, a baby sensory room and cafe.

Winter indoor play is from £4.50 for adults, £6 for kids, £4 for children under 3 ft and £2 for babies.Tip: Book online for the best rates.

On the south coast, the top-rated Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth has free entry and parking.

Spark their imaginations

Forget stuffy museums – The Box in Plymouth is packed with fun, interactive exhibits to wow your kids.

It’s free to enter, and has also been voted Best Family Attraction in the 2024 Muddy Stilettos Awards for Devon.

You can expect awesome artwork and creative activities such as the weekly sensory art sessions for one to four-year-olds (tip: these have an additional cost of £7 for the first child and £4 for each additional child).

Don’t miss the free Friday storytelling sessions – half an hour that will engage under-fives. 

Free daddy daycare

Dads (or male guardians) can make the most of free soft play sessions that take place every Thursday in Plymouth.

The Dads N’ Dinkies club has been recommended by Gem Krupa, Holiday Home Sales Manager at Challaborough Bay holiday park.

She said: “On Thursdays, Barnardo’s runs a Dads and Dinkies session, which is free soft play for dads and the children.

Mums can have a rest while Dads take the kids down to the YMCA for a play.”

Sessions run on Thursdays at 1.30pm. Tip: pre-booking essential. 

Go to the big screen

On a rainy day, nothing beats the cinema.

And the Everyman Cinema in Plymouth comes highly-rated for families by Gem Krupa.

She said: “As well as adult sessions in the evening, the cinema has family-friendly screenings in the day.

It’s not that much more expensive than a regular cinema ticket but it’s a really cool experience.

There are sofas and armchairs in there. You get a blanket and a menu and you can order cocktails, or burgers and desserts.”

Family tickets are available. 

Steam train magic

Sun reader Richard Tilley from Devizes in Wiltshire has visited South Devon numerous times with his family, most recently staying at Parkdean Resorts Torquay.

Richard, 62, recommends exploring the South Devon coastline by steam train and ferry, like he did with his children when they were younger.

He said: “We used to take the family on the steam train from Paignton to Kingswear, then hop on a ferry over to Dartmouth and back. The kids loved it – it now brings back happy memories.”

Tickets from £14pp for a family of five. 

Tripadvisor’s Top 5 things to do in Devon with kids

Devon’s top-rated family attraction is Kents Cavern, a prehistoric labyrinth of underground passages in Torquay.

Kids will love exploring this cave, which was home to ancient humans sheltering from extreme weather and hunting Ice Age animals.

Nearby, Babbacombe Model Village and Gardens is also highly rated by Tripadvisor users, allowing you to step inside a miniature world.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Pennywell Farm in Buckfastleigh and The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth also make the top-rated list. 

WE’VE taken a look at how to spend a family day out for FREE across multiple locations in the UK.

We’ve pinpointed three UK counties brimming with free activities for all ages, ensuring everyone stays entertained without spending a single penny.

And with activities covered for all ages, you can be sure there’ll be no getting bored.

Sussex: Beach days, railways and pirate festival

Across Sussex there are plenty of free things to do, meaning that you can take the kids out for an action-packed day of activities without breaking the bank.

If you’re visiting when the sun’s out, head to one of the many beautiful beaches in the county.

Camber Sands is perfect for families with its sprawling stretches of golden sands, perfect for bucket and spade days and paddling in the water.

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It’s a top choice due to its nearby facilities including parking, cafes and loos – perfect for parents of young children.

A sunny day is also the perfect time to go for a family bike ride.

The South Coast East route will take you along the coast, past stunning cliffs and landscapes.

And if the children (or Dad) are into steam trains, there’s multiple ways to enjoy them in Sussex – without booking a pricey ticket.

The Bluebell Railway is a great spot to visit, with its interactive “SteamWorks” exhibition at Sheffield Park station, and its own outdoor playground at Kingscote station.

There is no charge for platform entry on non-service days, and the gifts and models shop often remains open on these days too – just check their website ahead of time.

You can also head to Hotham Park, a short walk from Bognor Regis town centre, where there’s a popular miniature railway.

The park is free to enter if you’re wanting to stroll and have a look around.

But there’s loads to see and do for an optional small fee, such as crazy golf, a boating lake and kids’ adventure play area.

And if you do visit with some change in your pocket, the Hotham Park Railway is only £2.50 for adults and £2 for kids (under 2s go free).

Sun reader Nora Hinds, 69, from Hounslow, recommends Hastings in Sussex for its annual Pirate Festival.

She said: “Hastings is brilliant for live music, with lots of events on the seafront like the pirate festival.

It’s a pirate-themed weekend with free things to do including a treasure hunt, craft workshops and kids pirate tattoos.

Lastly, Sussex is home to some fantastic free museums.

The Shipwreck Museum is free to enter, and is full of fascinating maritime artifacts.

Sue Mercer, 62, from Pagham recommends The Novium Museum in Chichester for families.

It also has free entry, and kids can learn about history covering the Stone Ages to the Saxons.

Lincoln: Horse sanctuary, lakeside picnics and history museums

There’s loads of free and cheap things to do for families in Lincolnshire.

So much so, that there’s a Facebook group with more than 15,000 members sharing free things to do with the kids “in and around Lincoln”.

If you’ve got any mini history buffs in the family, they’ll enjoy a visit to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.

The museum takes a deep dive into life in the county, from 1750 to the present day.

There’s an authentic WWI tank, interactive exhibitions and group quiz sessions.

Similarly, The Lincoln Museum is another indoor attraction well-worth the visit.

Aside from the fascinating exhibitions, it offers “Play at The Lincoln Museum” – a free activity centre packed with activities for younger children and a play zone for babies.

For older kids, there’s lots of interactive games and trails too.

Alternatively, just 20 minutes from Lincoln you’ll find Bransby Horses.

The charity owns a 600-acre site which is home to over 300 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Visitors can walk through to admire the animals and set up for lunch at the designated picnic area.

There’s also a play park, cafe and gift shop.

Entry is free, although donations are recommended upon visiting to support the charity.

Sun reader Sarah Al-Aidi recommends Hubbard’s Hills – a vast green space near Louth with plenty of trees and a water valley.

“It’s a real beauty spot with great picnic areas, dog walking trails and nature walks” she says.

In the park you’ll find a play area and plenty of scenic picnic spots by the river – and it’s a great place to bring the dog, too.

Devon: Free soft play, giant animal models and discovery trails

Whilst Devon is known for it’s family-friendly beaches, there’s more to it than building sandcastles and wasting away your change at the arcades.

One of the best ways to explore the county is by undertaking one of its many outdoor discovery trails.

Haldon Forest near Exeter has a popular family activity trail which often has new themes depending on the time of year.

It’s a beautiful winding trail which ends at a picnic spot, home to an impressive Gruffalo sculpture.

And for kids of all ages, geo-caching can make for an exciting and energy-burning day out – and can get your kids away from their screens.

Geo-caching in Dartmoor or Exmoor National Parks is a fantastic way to get the kids to explore the outdoors.

Hidden around the parks you’ll find stashes of hidden items known as caches.

They’ll often have quirky items in to trade, as well as a log book to record your win finding the geo-cache.

In fact geo-caching happens all over the UK, and all the rules are on the geo-caching website.

Plus, the Royal William Yard Geo Trail in Plymouth is a fascinating look back in time to 380 million years ago.

And whilst you’re visiting Plymouth, dads can make the most of free soft play.

“On Thursdays, Barnardo’s runs a Dads and Dinkies session, which is free soft play for dads and the children” says Gem Krupa, Holiday Home Sales Manager at Challaborough Bay holiday park.

“Mums can have a rest while Dads take the kids down to the YMCA for a play.”

The free soft play sessions take place every Thursday at 1.30pm. Just make sure to prebook first!

Lastly, on the outskirts of Dartmoor in Bovey Tracey you can’t skip out on The Jolly Roger.

Here you’ll find incredible showrooms displaying giant animal and dinosaur models – and the best part is, it’s free to visit.

There’s also models of race cars, fairies, and at Christmas time the showroom even gets decked out with Santas and sleighs.