Lincoln Castle brings in £11m

New figures have revealed the county’s award-winning cultural attractions were visited 1.5 million times and boosted Lincolnshire’s economy by £15m last year.

And Lincoln Castle topped the heritage earners by bringing in £11m with sell-out events such as the summer concert series and the current Illuminations (above) underpinning its role as a visitor and entertainment attraction.

Lincolnshire County Council’s portfolio of cultural venues also includes Lincoln Museum, Usher Gallery, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.

The economic impact of these venues has been outlined in a new report which will be discussed by the Children’s and Culture Scrutiny Committee this Friday.

The report also Highlights how other sites play a crucial role in bringing learning to life and connecting communities closer to home.

More than 20,000 school children visit the cultural attractions every year through our award-winning learning programme, with a huge variety of hands-on workshops inspiring the next generation.

Between April 2024 and March 2025 Lincolnshire’s network of 15 core and 34 community hub libraries generated more than £25 million in social value – helping to improve quality of life, boosting educational achievement and relieving pressure on medical services.

Family-friendly library events - including Costume Creator sessions - proved especially popular with young readers. Children crafted amazing costumes inspired by The Hungry Caterpillar and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, immersing themselves in the stories and bringing beloved characters to life. 

The council hopes the economic impact of the county’s cultural attractions is set to grow further with the unveiling of the £1.7 million re-development of Lincoln Museum - featured in VisitEngland's 2026 hotlist of amazing things to do in the UK. 

When the flagship attraction throws open its doors again next year, visitors will be able to explore a new archaeology gallery, featuring interactive displays and hands-on experiences inviting visitors to explore the region’s past.

Cllr Natalie Oliver, Executive Councillor for Culture, said: “From exploring 1,000 years of history at our stunning castle, to honouring the brave heroes who defended our country from Lincolnshire’s airfields at The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre, our cultural attractions do an incredible job of celebrating Lincolnshire’s proud heritage.

“While we know how loved the sites are by schoolchildren, local residents and tourists alike, this report goes further, underlining the vital economic and cultural benefits they bring to our great county.

“Generating £15 million to Lincolnshire’s economy is a great achievement, but there is even more to come. I know lots of people are as excited as I am to see Lincoln Museum re-open next year, with a brand-new gallery inviting visitors to explore our incredible heritage like never before.”

Pictured below is an artist’s impression of Lincoln Museum’s redevelopment by The Creative Core.