About the museum
The museum celebrates the culture of Lincolnshire from 1750 to the present day.
Exhibits illustrate commercial, domestic, agricultural, industrial and community life.
It is housed in a Victorian barracks built for the Royal North Lincoln Militia in 1857.
It has nearly 250,000 objects, including an authentic World War One tank. There are also interactive galleries of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
There is a museum trail for children and an Historic Hunters playground.
Loan boxes are available to schools and community groups.
The museum has a dedicated room that can be hired for visiting groups, talks and meetings.
View Museum of Lincolnshire Life events
Plan your visit
Admission to the museum is free, except for event days.
Events
Festival of History: Victorian Zone
From authentic curiosities to quirky memorabilia, immerse yourself in Victorian life.
Join us as we explore the region’s contributions to Victorian society, celebrate our shared identity and encourage a deeper appreciation for our historical achievements as part of the Lincoln Festival of History.
On Saturday 4 May, a cast of curious characters will bring the museum to life:
- In the kitchen, meet the maid, catch a whiff of historical recipes and be baffled by the unusual kitchen implements she uses daily.
- The stern gaze of Mr Liberty, the School Master, awaits you in the Victorian schoolroom.
- Witness the clattering of our 1857 printing press as Mr Black stamps out his stories.
- Meet Mystic Maxine, our resident Victorian physic, a popular Victorian pastime.
- In the pharmacy, Mrs Cheshire will be blending traditional remedies and explaining emerging scientific advancements, reflecting the era’s evolving understanding of medicine and healthcare.
- The Victorian solider in his meticulous uniform will highlight Lincolnshire's heroic military past.
Tickets for the Saturday event cost just £3 for adults, £1.50 per child, and £2 for concessions. Or buy a family ticket for two adults and up to three children for £6. Simply pay on the door on the day.
Normal opening times
You can visit the museum Friday to Tuesday between 10am and 4pm (last entry 3.45pm).
The museum has a small car park to the front and side of the building. It is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Café and shop
Our gift shop sells unusual gifts and toys, period postcards and a range of heritage books.
The Gatehouse Tearoom is open the same days at the museum and is open from 10am to 3pm.
Learning visits
The learning offer to schools, colleges, universities and community groups focuses on the Victorian and early 20th century era history as well as creative arts and planting.
Loans kits are also available for hire.
Accessibility at the museum
All museum staff have disability awareness training. We welcome assistance dogs.
There is level access to the information desk, gift shop, galleries, tea room, toilets and courtyard. There are automatic push-button doors throughout the site.
There is a lift which allows access to all floors. The lift door is 890mm wide, while the lift itself is 1100mm wide by 1400mm deep.
The information desk in reception and gift shop has a low section for talking to staff. A hearing loop system installed here too. There is room for a wheelchair to turn and move around.
We also offer a wheelchair and a magnifying glass to visitors upon request.
To hire mobility equipment from Lincoln Shopmobility, call 01522 514477.
We have display information in audio as some areas use low lighting.
The First World War trench display in the Regimental Gallery has flashing lights, sounds of explosions and commentary. To maintain historical accuracy, the floor in this area is uneven. It is still accessible for most wheelchair users.
Parking
The car park at the front and side of the museum has two accessible spaces which are free to use. They are at the right-hand side of the entrance.
There is also a drop-off point and the main entrance, with a dropped kerb.
From the car park to the entrance there is level access.
Toilets
There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
The toilet door is 900mm wide. There is 700mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1400mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilets have handrails.
The direction of transfer on to the toilet is to the right.
Donating objects
The museum’s collections have grown and developed due to the generosity of the public who donated objects.
Whilst the museum is grateful for all offers of donations, they need to meet the criteria set out in our Collections Development Strategy.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept all contributions, loans and sales offers.
If you wish to make the offer of a donation, please get in touch with the Collections Development Officer at email: lincolnshirelife_museum@lincolnshire.gov.uk or telephone 01522 782040.
Please only bring items to the museum, or send them in the post, if the Collections Development Officer has agreed them.
Please get in touch with the Collections Development Officer for advice if you wish to leave an object for the museum in your will.