Photo: J.Hannan-Briggs, CC BY-SA 2.0
East Midlands GRA
Grantham
Grantham by train: a market town linked with Isaac Newton and Margaret Thatcher, with a soaring church spire, free museum and Belton House nearby.
Region
East Midlands
Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire
- 4 LNER stations
- 10 routes
- 16 things to do
Lincoln Cathedral seen from the walls of Lincoln CastlePhoto: Howardgannaway, CC BY-SA 4.0
In the East Midlands the main line runs through Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, calling at Grantham, Newark Northgate and Retford. At Newark, LNER's Lincoln trains leave the main line for the cathedral city of Lincoln.
It is a region of market towns, castles and big skies, and most stations here are within about an hour and a half of London on the quickest trains.
Map of East Midlands
Stations in East Midlands
Photo: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0
East Midlands NNG
Newark Northgate
Newark-on-Trent by train: riverside castle ruins, the National Civil War Centre, a towering parish church and an air museum, 75 minutes from London.
Photo: Howardgannaway, CC BY-SA 4.0
East Midlands LCN
Lincoln
Lincoln by train: a hilltop cathedral and Norman castle with Magna Carta, the Usher Gallery and Bomber Command memorial, under two hours from London.
Photo: Geof Sheppard, CC BY-SA 4.0
East Midlands RET
Retford
Retford by train: a Nottinghamshire market town on the Chesterfield Canal, with a free local museum and Clumber Park a short drive away.
Things to do in East Midlands
Grantham 4 ideas
St Wulfram's Church
A Grade I listed parish church whose spire is the second tallest in Lincolnshire. It is still an active church, so check service times before visiting.
Grantham Museum
A volunteer-run museum on St Peter's Hill, housed in the former Carnegie Library, telling the stories of Grantham and the surrounding area. As of September 2026 it opens Thursday to Saturday, with free admission.
Belton House
A Grade I listed country house built in the 1680s for Sir John Brownlow, set in formal gardens and a large wooded park. It is now looked after by the National Trust and has an outdoor playground for children.
Woolsthorpe Manor
The birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton, complete with the orchard containing his famous apple tree and a hands-on Science Discovery Centre. National Trust.
Newark Northgate 4 ideas
National Civil War Centre
A museum devoted to the seventeenth-century Civil Wars and Newark's part in them, with family days, walking tours and talks through the year. Admission is free for local residents and under-25s.
St Mary Magdalene Church
One of the largest and finest parish churches in England, with parts dating from the twelfth century and a spire that is the tallest structure in the town. It remains an active parish church with a coffee house.
Palace Theatre
An art deco theatre that opened in 1920 and still hosts music, comedy and drama. The same team also stages events and outdoor theatre at Newark Castle.
Newark Air Museum
A large collection of aircraft on part of a former RAF airfield at Winthorpe, open most days of the year, with regular open-cockpit events.
Lincoln 5 ideas
Lincoln Cathedral
A Grade I listed Gothic cathedral, begun in 1072 and rebuilt after an earthquake in 1185, and among the largest in the UK by floor area. Admission includes its exhibition gallery and Discovery Centre.
Lincoln Castle
Built by William the Conqueror on a Roman site, the castle is home to an original 1215 Magna Carta and an imposing Victorian prison. Part of the medieval wall walk was closed for repairs in September 2026.
Usher Gallery
Lincolnshire's main art gallery, opened in 1927 through a bequest from jeweller James Ward Usher, with works by painters including Turner and Lowry. The neighbouring Lincoln Museum was closed for redevelopment in September 2026.
Museum of Lincolnshire Life
A social history museum in Victorian militia barracks on Burton Road, with around 250,000 objects including a First World War tank and galleries on the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
International Bomber Command Centre
A memorial and visitor centre overlooking the city, with a 31-metre steel spire, walls of names and the interactive Chadwick Centre telling the story of RAF Bomber Command. Closed on Mondays except bank holidays.
Retford 3 ideas
Bassetlaw Museum
A free museum on Grove Street covering the history of north Nottinghamshire from the earliest times to today. It is closed on Wednesdays in term time and on Sundays.
Chesterfield Canal
A 46-mile canal running from the River Trent to Chesterfield, with a towpath popular for walking, cycling and wildlife spotting. It passes right through Retford.
Clumber Park
A National Trust country park in the Dukeries with gardens, woodland and a lake. Its Lime Tree Avenue, about two miles long and planted in 1840, is said to be the longest of its kind in Europe.
Other regions
Travelling to East Midlands?
Check live times and fares with LNER, or compare prices on Trip.com. Book early for the best chance of a cheaper Advance fare.