shopping, eating and drinking

Indulge yourself with specialist shops and local produce

We can't work all the time, so when you're ready for a spot of relaxing, Greater Lincoln is the perfect place to do it in. Whether you're shopping for something special, maybe in one of the many antique shops dotted around the region's towns (Hemswell Antiques Centre in Gainsborough is the largest antiques centre in Europe), or the latest fashions in the big city, we have it all. Lincoln's aptly named Steep Hill (very steep indeed!) starts up near the cathedral and castle and is lined with individual shops, delis and cafés; ideal for wandering and browsing, and picking up a few gifts.

As you reach the bottom of the hill you're suddenly in the city's vibrant, more contemporary quarter. The regenerated High Street is a bustling centre of bars, nightclubs and big retail names. Brayford Waterfront, home to the marina and university, is a lively centre packed with places to eat, drink and relax. Meanwhile in Gainsborough, Marshall's Yard is a shoppers' paradise, with 29 great stores, an Italian restaurant, coffee shop and health club.

Greater Lincoln is famed for the quality of its produce, and you'll find lots of famers' markets and farm shops in our towns and villages offering the area's famed delicacies; from tangy Lincolnshire poacher cheese and succulent Lincoln red beef, to Lincolnshire plumbread and, of course, the unmissable Lincolnshire sausage.

To support our local food heritage, Lincolnshire County Council and the European Union have also funded a project encouraging people to choose local food and drink. Look for the Tastes of Lincolnshire flag displayed by participating producers, shops and farm shops, farmhouse B&B and guesthouses, hotels, pubs, cafés and restaurants.

www.visitlincolnshire.com