About
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life occupies the imposing Old Barracks on Burton Road, a Grade II listed building constructed in 1857 as the depot for the Royal North Lincoln Militia. Situated on the hilltop just a short walk from Lincoln Castle and Cathedral, this award-winning museum tells the social, industrial, agricultural, and military history of Lincolnshire from the 18th century to the present day through an extensive and diverse collection of over 250,000 objects.
The museum's most remarkable exhibit is a First World War Mark IV tank, one of only six surviving examples in the world. This extraordinary machine, built in Lincoln by William Foster & Co., represents the county's pivotal role in tank development and manufacture during the Great War. The tank sits alongside comprehensive displays about the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment, charting the county's military heritage through personal stories, uniforms, medals, and equipment.
Beyond its military collections, the museum brings Lincolnshire's agricultural and industrial past vividly to life. Galleries showcase farming machinery, domestic interiors recreating period rooms from Victorian and Edwardian eras, and industrial equipment reflecting the county's engineering traditions. The commercial and community life galleries explore how ordinary Lincolnshire people lived, worked, and played through the centuries. Interactive elements and regular hands-on activities make the museum particularly engaging for families, while the atmospheric barracks building itself adds historical character to every visit. Free admission ensures this important county collection remains accessible to all.
Categories:
Annual Visitors (2019)
85,000
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Busiest: Saturday, Sunday
💡 Weekday mornings during school term for the quietest experience
💡 Visitor Tips
- The museum is located on the steep hilltop area of Lincoln near the Castle and Cathedral. If walking from the train station, be prepared for a significant uphill climb - the Walk & Ride bus service can help.
- Don't miss the Mark IV tank - one of only six surviving examples worldwide. Lincoln played a crucial role in tank development during WWI, and the story is fascinating even for non-military enthusiasts.
- The museum has free on-site parking with about 30 spaces, but these fill up quickly at weekends and during school holidays. Arrive early or use nearby pay-and-display car parks.
- Allow at least 90 minutes to two hours for a thorough visit. The collections are more extensive than first appearances suggest, spread across multiple buildings and outdoor areas.
- Combine your visit with Lincoln Castle (5-minute walk) and Lincoln Cathedral for a full day exploring Lincoln's historic hilltop quarter. The museum's location makes this an ideal cultural circuit.
- Family-friendly activities and trails are available throughout - ask at reception for the latest activity sheets. School holiday events often include hands-on crafts and living history demonstrations.
- The outdoor picnic area is a pleasant spot for lunch in good weather. The nearest cafes and restaurants are on Bailgate and Steep Hill, a short walk away.
- Admission is free, making this an excellent value day out. Donations are appreciated and help fund conservation of the collection and special exhibitions.
Highlights
First World War Mark IV Tank
One of only six surviving Mark IV tanks in the world, this extraordinary vehicle represents Lincoln's pivotal role in the development and manufacture of the tank during the First World War. Built locally by William Foster & Co. on Tritton Road, the tank is a powerful symbol of Lincolnshire's contribution to military innovation.
The display explains how the tank was conceived and developed in secrecy, with Lincoln's agricultural engineering expertise proving crucial to its creation. Visitors can examine the tank's riveted armour, sponson-mounted guns, and cramped interior conditions that crews endured.
The story of the first tank trial at Burton Park in 1916 is told alongside accounts of their devastating battlefield debut at the Somme.
Royal Lincolnshire Regiment Gallery
A comprehensive military heritage collection tracing the history of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment from its formation in 1685 through to amalgamation in 1960. The gallery displays uniforms, weapons, medals, photographs, and personal effects that tell the stories of ordinary soldiers from Lincolnshire who served across the globe.
Highlights include Victoria Cross medals, battle honours, campaign relics from both World Wars, and poignant personal letters and diaries.
The gallery explores the regiment's involvement in major conflicts including the Boer War, Gallipoli, the Western Front, North Africa, and Burma, combining military history with deeply personal human stories of courage, sacrifice, and comradeship.
Agricultural Heritage Collection
Lincolnshire's rich farming heritage is celebrated through an impressive collection of agricultural machinery, tools, and equipment spanning two centuries. The displays include horse-drawn ploughs, steam-powered threshing machines, early tractors, and hand tools that shaped the county's agricultural landscape.
Interactive displays explain the seasonal rhythms of farming life, from ploughing and sowing to harvest and processing.
The collection reflects how Lincolnshire became one of England's most important agricultural counties, with innovations in drainage, mechanisation, and crop cultivation that transformed food production. Period photographs and oral histories bring the human dimension of farming life vividly alive.
Victorian and Edwardian Domestic Life
Faithfully recreated period rooms transport visitors into the homes of Lincolnshire families during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. A complete Victorian kitchen features original range, copper pans, and household implements, while a parlour shows the aspirational furnishings of a middle-class family.
The displays contrast the domestic experiences of wealthy and working-class households, examining how technological advances like gas lighting, piped water, and mass-produced goods gradually transformed everyday life.
Personal objects, clothing, and photographs create intimate portraits of family life, while interactive elements allow visitors to handle replica objects and experience the textures and weight of historical domestic items.
Collections
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life holds over 250,000 objects documenting the social, industrial, agricultural, and military history of Lincolnshire from the 18th century to the present day. The collections are particularly strong in agricultural machinery and tools, reflecting the county's importance as one of England's premier farming regions.
Military collections centre on the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and include uniforms, weapons, medals, and personal effects spanning nearly 300 years of service.
The industrial collection features products and machinery from Lincoln's major engineering firms. Domestic and social history collections encompass household objects, clothing, toys, photographs, and personal items that document everyday life across social classes. The museum also holds significant collections of local trades and crafts, commercial equipment, and community memorabilia.
Archives include photographs, documents, and oral history recordings providing invaluable primary source material for researchers.
Tank Hall
Home to the museum's iconic First World War Mark IV tank and displays about Lincoln's role in tank development and manufacture. The gallery tells the story of how agricultural engineering expertise was adapted for military innovation.
📍 Ground Floor
Royal Lincolnshire Regiment
Comprehensive military gallery tracing the regiment's history from 1685 to 1960, with uniforms, medals, weapons, photographs, and personal stories of Lincolnshire soldiers.
📍 First Floor
Domestic and Social Life
Period rooms and thematic displays exploring how Lincolnshire people lived, including Victorian kitchens, parlours, and domestic technology that transformed daily life.
📍 First Floor
Agricultural Heritage
Extensive collection of farming machinery, tools, and equipment illustrating Lincolnshire's agricultural traditions and the mechanisation of farming over two centuries.
📍 Ground Floor
Commercial Life
Reconstructed shops and workshops showing the trades, crafts, and commercial activities that sustained Lincolnshire's market towns and communities.
📍 Ground Floor
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.