property, homes and houses for sale in Lincolnshire

The vast, picturesque county of Lincolnshire stretches from the Humber to the Wash, from the Wolds in the north, to the fens in the south. The fourth largest county in England, Lincolnshire covers an area of 5,921 sq km and has a growing population of approximately 605k. With its open spaces, and plenty of green countryside, Lincolnshire is still unspoilt by the hustle and bustle that grips so much of the rest of the country - it remains a place where people can live and work in comfort. The population is mainly centred in the historic city of Lincoln and the other major towns of Grantham, Spalding, Stamford, Louth, Boston and Gainsborough. People searching for property for sale in Lincolnshire are attracted to the pleasant market towns and pretty villages that are scattered around some beautiful countryside, which is not as flat as it is often portrayed. There is lots to do and many places of interest in Lincolnshire, including Lincoln Cathedral, a number of museums, motor racing at Cadwell Park, lakes for sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing, rivers for boating on, some of the best course fishing in the country, horseracing at Market Rasen and medieval manor houses. Many of the villages and towns have their own activities, and there is a real sense of community that adds quality of life for the residents of Lincolnshire.

A brief history

The origin of the name of Lincolnshire, first recorded in 1016 as "Lincolnescire", derived from its early Briton name of "Lindum", meaning a lake (llyn) a widening of the River Whitham - and a hillfort (dun), which would have stood above the river, which often flooded. The Romans named the place Lindum colonia: a colony, or settlement for retired soldiers. Lindum colonia was condensed to make Lincoln. For general geographical classification the county can be broken down into a number of sub-regions: the Lincolnshire Fens, the Lincolnshire Wolds, and the industrial Humber Estuary and North Sea coast around Grimsby and Scunthorpe. Mechanisation around the turn of the 20th Century greatly diminished the number of workers required to manage the county's farms, and the proportion of workers in the agricultural sector dropped substantially. Several major engineering companies developed in Lincoln and Grantham to support those changes, most famously, Fosters of Lincoln and Richard Hornsby & Sons of Grantham.

Living in Lincolnshire

One of the reasons why people choose to live in Lincolnshire is the affordability of housing. For house buyers and owners, the county combines the best of both worlds: a buoyant market, with house prices rising in line with other parts of the UK, enables people to maintain their investment over the years. People searching for property for sale in Lincolnshire will find a variety of houses to choose from older houses to new developments of houses and apartments. Locations in the county vary enormously from tiny hamlets, to villages, market towns, larger towns and Lincoln City. Lincolnshire has a diverse and expanding economy, increasing job opportunities and low unemployment, a clean environment, and low crime rate, making it an attractive option for people considering relocating to the area.

Residents of Lincoln benefit from a vibrant arts and cultural programme, as well as green havens, including the Arboreturm – an award winning Victorian park right in the centre of the city, the Lawn gardens and Sir Joseph Banks Tropical Conservatory. The town centre has a good selection of bars, cafés and restaurants and a multi-plex cinema in the marina, and plenty of shopping opportunities, both on the high street and within the Waterside Shopping Centre. When it comes to education, from nursery school, right through to university and beyond into adult education, Lincolnshire scores highly. Lincoln University's campus is the newest in the UK, with student numbers expected to reach 10,000 by the year 2010. Families searching for houses in Lincoln should expect to pay £205k+ for a four bedroom detached house.

The historic and attractive market town of Boston is another of Lincolnshire's key towns. Boston has a population of approximately 35k, is situated near the south-east coast of the county and is around 120 miles north of London. This busy commercial and retail centre is going through a great deal of modern development. People considering starting their own business and who are searching for property for sale in Boston will discover there are plans for an Enterprise Centre to be built, to help small businesses and people starting up in business. The types of property for sale in Boston include modern detached houses, bungalows, Victorian cottages, farmhouses and riverside properties on the bank of the River Witham. For a four bedroom detached house expect to pay around £220k.

If you're searching for a property to rent in Lincolnshire you will be able to find a good selection advertised by the estate agents in Lincolnshire on Primelocation.com.

Families who enjoy exploring the countryside will be spoilt for choice. Lincolnshire has some beautiful countryside, with the rolling Wolds, the Lincoln Edge on which Lincoln's castle and cathedral are based. The Viking Way, a spectacular 147 mile long footpath that runs through the heart of the county through pretty Wolds villages, and the pretty Edwardian town of Woodhall Spa.

Travel and transport links in the county of Lincolnshire

Less than two hours by road and rail from London, Lincolnshire is easily accessible. Lincolnshire has 5,400 miles of roads and over 3,000 miles of public rights of way. New roads, bypasses and highway improvements are a high priority for Lincolnshire County Council. The provision of a dual carriage to the A46 between Lincoln and Newark has greatly improved communication networks from Lincoln, and the A1 connects the area to the UK's motorway network. Mainline trains are available to London, Stanstead Airport and Birmingham. Branch lines and commuter train link the towns and resorts of Lincolnshire and the coast. The train journey from Grantham to London is just 1.5 hours. There are also three airports within easy reach of Lincolnshire: Robin Hood Airport, East Midlands Airport and Humberside Airport.