'Summertime' in Lincolnshire

I'm using the word 'summertime' loosely, as I'm not sure where it is at the moment, but as July beckons, we're half way through the year and with the summer holidays fast approaching, I’m sure you already have lots of lovely trips and adventures booked, but if youre staying a little closer to home & needed any more suggestions, here are a few of my choices of whats happening this month.

saturday 6th july - lincoln makers market

Saturday 6th July - Discover unique crafts, works of art, and artisan makes at the monthly Lincoln Makers' Market, located in Castle Square, the historic centre of uphill Lincoln, in the shadow of Lincoln Castle & Lincoln Cathedral. Hosted by a talented local group of Lincolnshire-based artists, crafters and makers, the Lincoln Makers' Market is a firm favourite for picking up a unique gift for someone special. Featuring paintings, feltwork, hand-sewn garments, homeware, jewellery, pottery, glass art, ironmongery, carpentry and so much more. *This market takes place on the first Saturday of every month between March and December & also in St Paul in The Bail, on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

19th-21st july - lincoln jazz festival

Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July - Taking place in the spectacular landmark of Lincoln Cathedral, this is the third Lincoln Jazz Festival and celebrates a range of jazz styles. Just imagine how amazing the performances will be from leading national and international jazz musicians, including James Taylor Quartet, amplified by such a magnificent setting, continuing the Cathedral’s centuries-old tradition of celebrating live music.

20th & 21st - lincoln 1940s weekend

Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July - Experience the nostalgic & 'keep calm & carry on' spirit of 1940s Britain at Lincoln's Annual 1940's Weekend. With vintage themed live performances, activities, dancing, singing and classic vehicle displays as well as a mobile cinema, vintage fairground rides & craft market, all located throughout Lincoln's historic uphill centre. The main hub events will take place in the Bailgate & Castle Square, including the Castle grounds, with many of the local business also getting involved by dressing up their windows and staff. Look out for other pop-up activities across the city to compliment the weekend – visitors can even get their hair styled in a classic 1940’s hairdo! 

20th July-8th Sept - Sculpture at Doddington

Saturday 20th July The popular biennial Sculpture Exhibition at Doddington Hall returns for 2024 and is a great opportunity to see some spectacular sculpture in a beautiful historic setting. The stunning walled gardens and romantic wild garden provide the perfect setting for over 300 works of art made by 60 sculptors from across the UK and beyond. An indoor gallery, located in the Stable Yard, will also exhibit a variety of small sculptures. Almost every piece in the exhibition is for sale, which, personally speaking, is part of the intrigue of going round and guessing how much each one is, I've only been once before, but i'm definitely going again this year.

27th & 28th July - Heckington show

Proudly reknowned as the largest village show in England - Heckington Show is a quintessentially English Summer occasion in the heart of Lincolnshire. Now in its 156th year, it combines the intimacy of a village show with the expectation of the national stage; a celebration of village life in Lincolnshire that brings friends, family and the wider community together. Run by a fantastic team of local volunteers, to bring competitions, co-operation, pride and pleasure, sunshine and smiles to a summer's day. There is so much to enjoy & take part in over the two days, including the annual 10 mile road race, show jumping, vintage machinery, heavy horses, dog show and on the Saturday evening a Grand Firework Concert.

June's Lincolnshire Guide

Each month I'll be sharing a few of the more intimate & community events going on throughout the region, giving them their own platform, rather than adding them at the bottom of an article about larger events. These events are vital to many charities and local groups to raise essential funds or to promote community awareness and are the heart and soul of our city and wider county. So if you would like me to share your event please do get in touch.

Tuesday 4th June - Sunday 9th June

On Tuesday 4th June, a group of 14 vintage tractors will embark on an epic tour of Lincolnshire. The Tour de Lincolnshire will leave Farmer Brown’s Ice Cream, in Huttoft, on a journey of approximately 350 miles around the border of Lincolnshire, to raise money for 2 Lincolnshire based charities; The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and Andy’s Hospice. Once it leaves Huttoft, the tour will pass through many villages and towns including Sandilands, Cleethorpes, Burton-On-Humber, Winteringham, Flixborough, Haxby, Gainsborough, Torksey, Thorpe-On-The-Hill, Claypole, Gunby, Market Deeping, Sutton St James, Kirton, Wainfleet & Skegness before finally arriving back at Farmer Brown’s Ice Cream for their Open Farm Sunday on the 9th June 2024.

Sunday 9th June

On Sunday 9th June - The Jerry Green Dog Rescue North Lincolnshire Summer Show takes place at their North Lincolnshire Centre, Broughton DN20 0BJ . This fun dog show, includes classes such as Handsome Chap, Loveliest Lady and Best Rescue. There will also be a host of traders including Fleur’s Kitchen, The Pawprint Company, Aurora Paw, Andrew’s Hedgehog Hospital, Sturton Plants, Wool & Woofers, plus activities and entertainment for all the family to enjoy. This is event is kindly sponsored by Vitalin Pet Food

Sunday 16th June

Sunday 16th June - as well as hosting a Fathers Day Breakfast in the Regency Dining Room, which you’ll need to book*, The Normanby Hall Food & Flowers show, which is held in and around the Secret & Walled Garden area of the Hall, is a shaow to celebrate locally produced artisan food, drink and flora, and includes floristry demonstrations and live cooking from acclaimed chef Richie Stamp-Mason, owner of The Red Lion, Raithby. *The Fathers Day breakfast also includes entrance to the show.

Sunday 23rd June

On 23rd June - Liquorice Park will be holding its Summer Fete - Liquorice Park is a beautiful natural space in the heart of Lincoln’s West End, used as agricultural land since the 16th century. It’s maintained by the Liquorice Park Millenium Green Trust a wonderful, dedicated community and has become a haven for both wildlife habitats and city dwellers.

wednesday 26th June

Sweet Pea Season starts at Easton Walled Gardens on the 26th June; From late June and throughout July, treat your senses to the heady fragrance and visual delights of perfect blooms in stripes, bicolours, picotee, light pastels and deep velvet tones.

sunday 30th June

Following last years popular event, The Harmston Food & Drink Fair returns on Sunday 30th June, offering a fantastic selection of locally sourced and handmade food & drink for you to sample and purchase. Tantalise your tastebuds with Lincolnshire gins, fine wines, homemade jams and preserves, local honey, Lincolnshire apple juice, pastries, cakes and more...

And if you're wondering what else might be on this month take a look The Lincoln Independents What's On Guide inside their June edition, or you can pick one of the 10,000 copies up from various locations.

Jaunts in June - what’s on this month?

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say, I can’t believe it’s June already! Where have the last 6 months gone? Hopefully the weather will now start behaving so all the amazing shows, fetes, festivals and events planned for this month don’t get rained off or become muddy quagmires.

wednesday 19th - thursday 20th june

One of the biggest highlights of the county’s annual events takes place on the 19th & 20th June. ‘The Lincolnshire Show’, is a two day celebration of all things agricultural, something us Yellowbellys do pretty well. 80% of our county is farmed and our region is responsible for producing 25% of the nations vegetables! A large majority of Lincolnshire inhabitants will have visited the show at least once, especially if you ever went to school in Lincoln, so you don’t need me to tell you what happens, but my top tips are comfy shoes, sun cream, a hat & an umbrella - useful when it’s hot too, as there is never enough shade to sit under, and if you live in town, get the bus. There's a special service provided by Stagecoach, starting at Lincoln Central Bus Station, with stops along the way. It drops you off right at the entrance, so no trying to remember where you parked your car you can enjoy a glass or two of Pimms.

Thursday 6th June

Thursday 6th June is the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, with many events throughout the county commemorating this historical anniversary. The International Bomber Command Centre, located at the top of Canwick Hill, will be hosting an evening including Prosecco reception, 3 course dinner, live music & the lighting of a Beacon at the Spire. The Petwood Hotel, located in Woodhall Spa, is planning to celebrate with an afternoon of live music on The Terrace

Sunday 9th June

Lincoln may be a small city, but its big on history, and I LOVE history, I wanted to be an archeologist when I was little, and so on the 9th June I’ve finally booked myself on one of the Lincoln Free Walking Tours. I usually see the guides leading the walks around and about uphill Lincoln, yellow umbrella in hand, when I’m working at the weekends. These award winning walking tours are designed to be fun and engaging, and are run by people who are passionate about Lincoln’s heritage. There's a range of different tours including an Industry & Innovation Tour and Historic Pubs Walking Tour. (no i'm not doing the pub one, I'm going Roman)

15th June - 30th June

15th June - 30th June sees the return of the North Kesteven Walking Festival, now in its 10th year. This is a two-week walking celebration, allowing you to get out and explore over 70 led walks, scattered across 356 square miles of picturesque villages, medieval churches and thriving landscapes. Choose from sunrise & sunset walks, Father’s Day and summer solstice walks, railway rambles, dog walks, alpaca walks, riverside walks and pubs walks.

saturday 15th june

15th June is a busy weekend, as amongst other county wide activities, it’s also The Dragons Boat Race, a charity event organised by The Ringrose Law Group in aid of LIVES. The Brayford Waterfront comes alive with excited crowds as they cheer on teams from various businesses from across the region, competing in over 20 boats races along a 200 meter racecourse.