Lincoln

Military aircraft enthusiasts will find themselves in absolute heaven here. The collection of historic jets scattered around this corner of Lincolnshire reads like an aviation museum's wishlist - from the iconic English Electric Lightning F6 to the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2, plus a proper Supermarine Spitfire IX replica that'll have you humming the Dambusters theme.

Tattershall sits in the heart of the Lincolnshire Fens, where vast skies meet endless farmland dotted with medieval church spires. Saint Michael's Church and the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity anchor this market town that's quietly getting on with life between the bigger draws of Lincoln Cathedral to the northwest and the Wash coastline.

Water dominates the landscape here. Multiple lakes - Osprey Lake, Water Ski Lake, Castle Lake, and several others - create a mini lakeland that's brilliant for fishing, watersports, or just watching the world go by. The Water Ski Lake does exactly what it says on the tin, while Jet Ski Lake caters to the more adrenaline-hungry crowd.

Getting here is straightforward enough. You're about 20 minutes from Sleaford and roughly 45 minutes from Lincoln itself, with the A153 cutting straight through. The surrounding area serves up classic Lincolnshire countryside - dead flat, big skies, and the kind of peace that city dwellers forgot existed.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. Tattershall Lakes Country Park puts you right in the thick of the action, while spots like Bainland Lodge Retreats or the various camping options around Woodhall Spa give you a proper base for exploring both the aviation heritage and the watery playground that defines this slice of the county.