September blues? Ten fun family things to do in northern Lincolnshire

THOUGH the summer holidays are over, there’s still plenty to cheer about weather-wise with temperatures expected to reach a balmy 25 degrees this weekend and the next couple of weeks in September not currently looking too autumnal.

If you’re heading out and about to make the most of the late summer warmth, we’ve found 10 activities offering fun for all the family in the area both this weekend and beyond. If the weather does happen to take a turn for the worse, there are a few rainy day suggestions as well.

1. 1940s Weekend - A Spitfire and Hurricane flypast will be among the highlights at Lincolnshire Wolds Railway’s nostalgic 1940s event.

The appearance by the two famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fighters will take place at 2.10pm on Saturday, September 8. Throughout both Saturday and Sunday, a number of attractions will take visitors back to the 40s including military and civilian re-enactments, exhibitions, trade stalls and much more.

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Ludborough, DN36 5SQ T: 01507 363881

2. Heritage Open Days – Cleethorpes Town Hall is just one of many places across North East Lincolnshire putting on open days this weekend.

It will be open to the public on Saturday, September 8 from 10am until 4pm. Families will have the opportunity to take part in a written quiz and the winner will receive a gift voucher. Local historian, Dr Alan Dowling, will give talks at 10.30am and 2pm on how three fishing and farming hamlets were transformed into the modern resort of Cleethorpes.

Cleethorpes Town Hall, Knoll Street, Cleethorpes, DN35 8LN. See www.heritageopendays.org.uk for more information.

3. People’s Park – Enjoy a day out with a picnic in Grimsby’s People’s Park. Within 10 hectares of land, it boasts a lake where you can sport mallards, coots, moorhens and Canada geese, an area to play with equipment in the shape of a trawler and an avenue of trees if shade is needed should the hot summer sun arrive. The Pavilion Café is open 10am to 5pm until the end of September and the toilets are open from 8am to 6pm.

People’s Park, Welholme Road, Grimsby, DN32 0DR T: 01472 323000

4. Garden life – Discover the walled garden at Elsham Hall Gardens and Country Park which features a sensory garden, drifts of bulbs and wild flowers, paddocks, guinea pig village, sculpture and living willow features. Open each weekend until September 30. Admission costs £5.50 adults, £4.50 children and £5 OAPs and disabled with children under two free. Note that dogs are not allowed in the park.

Elsham Hall Gardens and Country Park, Brigg, DN20 0QZ T: 01652 688698

5. British Bacon Weekend - The Pink Pig Farm in Holme is holding a piggy party with bacon curing demonstrations and quizzes on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9.

As well as a variety of tasty local bacon available in the butchers, there will also be the chance to try some unusual bacon-themed treats such as chocolate-covered bacon and a bacon flavoured milkshake.

The little ones will also be able to get in touch with their inner animals when they hunt for worms in the wooden maze, learn to “live like pigs”, splash in the water play, ride the tractors, play in the fort and meet the pigs, calves, ducks, geese, sheep, miniature goats and guinea pigs.

Pink Pig Farm, Holme, DN16 3RE T: 01724 844466

6. Smallest pub - Check out The Signal Box Inn described as ‘The smallest pub in the world! (probably)’. Some ales are brewed especially for the Inn and it’s open from 11am to 11pm. It is part of the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway which runs steam locomotives on a 15ins gauge track on weekends throughout September. There’s also a tea room, gift shop, locomotive sheds and workshops.

Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, Lakeside Station, Kings Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 0AG T: 01472 604657

7. Fishing heritage – Discover Grimsby’s maritime history by signing up as a crew member and find out what life was like for trawlermen and their families in the 1950s. Join the fishermen in the Freeman’s Arms, experience a moving deck and visit a dockside shop. Open every day except Mondays 10am to 5pm.

The Fishing Heritage Centre, Alexandra Dock, Grimsby, DN31 1UZ T: 01472 323345

8. Family pub – For a nice weekend treat, take the family to a local pub for some traditional pub grub. Try The Countryman which also has a beer garden to catch some of the late summer sun. It offers pool tables, jukebox and live sport so there's something for everyone.

The Countryman, Field House Road, Humberston, Grimsby, DN36 4UN T: 01472 812402

9. Musical entertainment - On Sunday, September 9, Alexandra Dock in Grimsby will host an afternoon of music as part of the Bandstand Marathon. This series of events will take place simultaneously in towns and cities across the country to mark the end of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Alexandra Dock, Grimsby, DN31 1UZ. Visit bandstandmarathon.org.uk for more information.

10. Farmers’ Market – local produce is the order of the day on September 8 in Barton-upon-Humber from 9am to 1pm. There will be plenty of quality food on offer from preserves and home baked cakes to freshly harvested vegetables

High Street, Barton-upon-Humber, South Humberside, DN18 5PD T: 01652 657053