12 Little Known Facts about Lincolnshire

First published 19th August 2020 Robin James

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Lincolnshire is one of the most popular counties England has to offer to holidaymakers – home to historic towns, rolling countryside and famous seaside communities – such as Skegness – it’s just as much a resort and retreat to some people as it is a home. Even if you live in Lincs, however, there are still likely to be a few things you might not know about the region county-wide.

Edith Smith, a Lincolnshire woman, made history over a century ago as the first-ever policewoman with the power to arrest people in the whole of Great Britain. Her main beat was in Grantham, and it’s thanks to Smith and the local constabulary that the first gender barriers into the force were broken down.
When it comes to Christmas, the county’s capital city of Lincoln goes all out. In fact, Lincoln Christmas Market is thought to be one of the biggest in the whole country – it’s a festive celebration tour de force and is thought to bring crowds from every corner of the UK.
It’s noted that the town of Stamford was the first designated area for conservation of its kind – in particular, its history and its heritage. Since then, the town – host to more historic buildings than half of the rest of the country – has been fiercely protected as a heritage marvel in its own right.

Stamford, Lincs

Lincolnshire played host to a baffling Bronze Age find in 1886. Specifically, workers on the gas lines found that a boat almost 900 years old was hiding in the excavation site – and it was no small vessel, as it was thought to have been able to hold 50 people on the water.
Lincs plays host to the Red Arrows, the world-famous aerobatic flight team. It’s in RAF Scampton where the team has a home base – and they’ve been returning to the county since 1965. Believe it or not, there are up to 120 different people working as part of the Red Arrows at any one time!
The Magna Carta – arguably the blueprint for human rights the world over – has roots in Lincolnshire. It’s here where local man Stephen Langton set out his plans to give rights back to the people, away from the monarchy. Langton would go on to become Archbishop of Canterbury.

There was a crowning that took place in Lincs, not long after King Ethelred was defeated in battle. Specifically, Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard took the throne here for a time in Gainsborough – and the town was even England’s capital for a temporary time, too!
Many famous people were born in the Lincs area – one of the most famous, of course, was Sir Isaac Newton, the father of the theory of gravity. Newton was born in Grantham, and it’s also here that he started outlining his theories in the mid 17^th Century. Other famous people born here include celebrated astronaut Michael Foale, who was the first British person to walk in space.
The shortest county boundary in England resides in Lincolnshire. Specifically, there is a boundary between Lincs and Northampton which is – bizarrely – just 18m in length.

Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral has seen some renovations and re-imaginings over the years, but it was in fact the tallest building in the build for a period. It was at least 525 feet tall after its rebuilding in the 1300s, which thanks to a spire, effectively doubled its original stature.
Lincolnshire is huge in terms of area but is actually relatively sparse in comparison. Look at the data – it’s the second-biggest county in England, yet only has the 18^th highest population. That’s a lot of greenery and sand – and not many people in between!
Lincs is also home to a very important Roman arch. The city of Lincoln, a stronghold under the empire, still holds an arch in the centre, and is the only one of its kind where traffic is permitted to travel through.