There are no motorways in Lincolnshire, just a network of major and minor roads that bring you through rolling hills, historic villages and bustling market towns. It’s a wonderful region for a driving holiday, with plenty of natural tourist attractions to pull you off course. While there is local transport available, it tends to be aimed at local people going about their daily business rather than tourists. To really enjoy everything Lincolnshire has to offer, a hire car is probably the best choice for visitors. You won’t necessarily need a four-wheel drive here, but upgrading to a larger car will offer a level of comfort when travelling through the countryside that makes all the difference to your trip.
As with all of the UK, people drive on the left and overtake on the right. If you’re travelling with children, make sure your hire car company can provide baby seats or other suitable restraints for their age. All passengers must use seat belts at all times.
A Sat Nav or other GPS system might be a good added extra to bring on your trip through Lincolnshire. It’s not a huge county but finding your way through the smaller rural roads or through the Lincolnshire Wolds can sometimes be a challenge. The Lincolnshire Wolds is a designated area of outstanding beauty and comprises a series of rolling hills, which run parallel with the coast. Finding and driving to the many historic houses and castles of Lincolnshire will be made easier with a GPS also.
Petrol stations tend to be clustered around the main towns like Lincoln and Skegness, so it’s worth researching the locations of petrol stations in the areas you’re visiting if you are planning to spend a day touring the county. They're not as common in rural areas as you might expect.
Book your rental car in Lincolnshire at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Compact rental cars in Lincolnshire are around 20% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Lincolnshire
A driving tour through Lincolnshire is about balancing the beauty of the coast with the inland attractions of the countryside. You’re going to want to have complete flexibility in your schedule, making car hire a very attractive choice. Lincolnshire’s history is part of the charm of this place, and the opportunity to pull into a small, unexpected village or a working farm is part of why you come here. US visitors in particular love to visit the coastal town of Boston, the home place of the very first pilgrims that sailed to Cape Cod and established what later became Boston, Massachusetts. While there, you might want to drive to Boston Woods Trust or to the coast to see the mouth of the rivers Haven and Welland, where they flow into the sea. If that sounds like your kind of trip, then a car is a worthy choice.
Road quality is generally very good, with the major A-roads, which crisscross the county, interconnecting with minor roads. Although these are small and winding, they tend to be well surfaced and have a real charm that you should experience. They also take you to picturesque places far off the beaten track and to agri-business and working farms that you might not otherwise discover.
To hire a car in the UK, you must be at least 23 years of age, but some companies are stricter. For example, you may have to be 25 years old for some, while others will only let you hire a certain type of car if you are under 30. All drivers under 25 will pay a surcharge. Older drivers too may be required to pay a surcharge, particularly if they are 70 or older. There is no official maximum age, but individual companies have their own rules on this. If you do fall into this category, it’s useful to have a note from your doctor that clarifies you are able to drive.
Compact (Ford Focus or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Lincolnshire.