Lincoln Castle
BEST FOR
Ages 0-13
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Lincoln
What it’s like
Climb medieval castle walls and see the original Magna Carta in the vault below.
This is a proper stone castle, built by William the Conqueror almost 1000 years ago, so it suits kids who like the idea of knights and battlements as much as it suits older ones doing the Magna Carta topic at school. You can walk the Medieval Wall Walk for the views over Lincoln, and head down into the vault to see the Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest documents up close. It works for babies right through to about 13 year olds, though the older end will get more out of the history on display.
Bear in mind the Wall Walk is only partially open at the moment while essential repairs are carried out, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users, so if you have a pushchair you may need to leave it at the bottom for that part. The rest of the castle grounds should be more manageable with a buggy. Certain areas can also close if the weather turns, so it is worth checking before you set off on a really wet or windy day.
Opening hours run 10am to 5pm from April to October and 10am to 4pm the rest of the year, with last admission an hour before closing, so plan to arrive in good time rather than right at the end of the day. The castle is closed over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Note that the Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest go off display for three months each year in rotation, so if seeing the actual document is the main reason for your visit, it is worth checking they will be on show that day.
What’s on here
- WED7
Coins of the Conquest display in the Magna Carta Vault
Free · 120 more dates
- WED7
Meet Hastings, Lincoln Castle's new dragon
Free · 120 more dates
- SAT10
Lincoln Sausage Festival
10:00 · from £2.50
- SAT17
Outdoor Cinema: Hocus Pocus Spooktacular
An outdoor cinema screening of Hocus Pocus at Lincoln Castle on 17 October 2026.
- SAT17
Lunchtime Talk: A Brief History of Illuminated Manuscripts
13:00 - 14:00 · from £5
- SUN18
Outdoor Cinema: The Nightmare Before Christmas
An outdoor screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas at Lincoln Castle on 18th October 2026.
- SAT24
Spooky Stories
8 more dates
Facilities
Plan your visit
Is it OK for a toddler?
Yes, the castle is fine for babies and young children, though the Wall Walk itself is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs at the moment due to repairs.
Can we take a pushchair?
The general castle grounds should be manageable with a buggy, but the Medieval Wall Walk is not suitable for wheelchair users while essential repairs are ongoing.
What are the opening hours?
It is open 10am to 5pm from 1 April to 27 October, and 10am to 4pm from 28 October to 31 March. Last admission is one hour before closing.
Is the Magna Carta always on display?
No, the Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest go off display for three months each year on rotation, so it is worth checking ahead if seeing them is your main reason for visiting.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Certain parts of the castle may close in adverse weather conditions, so it is sensible to check ahead on a very wet or windy day.
Is the castle open on Christmas and New Year?
No, it is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
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