Lincoln Museum

About the museum

The City and County Museum was founded in 1906 and grew over the twentieth century into the main archaeology museum for Lincolnshire. The Usher Gallery next door opened in 1927 to house the art collection left to the city by the local jeweller James Ward Usher.

In 2005 a new museum building by Panter Hudspith Architects opened beside the gallery, with a glass-roofed central hall. Excavation of the site before construction uncovered part of a late Roman mosaic floor. The two institutions then operated together as The Collection, and in 2023 the name changed to Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery.

The museum is run by Lincolnshire County Council with the City of Lincoln Council and other partners. Its archaeology displays include finds such as the Fiskerton log boat and the Horncastle boar's head, and it also keeps the archives of archaeological projects from across the county. The museum building closed in October 2024 for redevelopment, with new interactive displays in the archaeology gallery, a refitted shop and a new temporary exhibition space planned.

Highlights

• Archaeology of Lincolnshire from prehistory to the medieval period
• Fiskerton log boat
• Late Roman mosaic floor found on the museum site
• Usher Gallery next door with art by Turner, Piper and Lowry
• Free activity centre for young children (Play)

Founded

1906

Operated by

Lincolnshire County Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free. The museum is currently closed; the Usher Gallery is open with free entry.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All galleries and public spaces in the museum and the Usher Gallery are step-free, using a ramp at the Usher Gallery entrance and a shallow ramp in the museum's orientation hall. Public lifts serve the upper floor of the Usher Gallery, the cafe and the education suite. Accessible toilets are next to the cafe, in the orientation hall and in the Usher Gallery foyer. Hearing loops are fitted at the museum reception and auditorium, and a portable loop at the Usher Gallery reception can be used in either building. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at both reception desks and seating is available throughout. Assistance dogs are welcome and water can be provided. Four disabled bays are in the pay and display car park on Danes Terrace, opposite the entrances. Large print labels for temporary exhibitions are available on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The museum describes itself as family friendly. Check the website to see whether Play is open while the building is closed. Play is a free activity centre for young children.

Getting there & parking

The museum and the Usher Gallery are on the same site, a short distance apart.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Muse Coffee Bar is currently listed as temporarily closed. The shop sells art and history books, homeware and gifts online; the museum is closed for redevelopment.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 115 guests.

Spaces include a 115-seat auditorium with a hearing loop, the glass-roofed orientation hall for receptions and corporate events, two flexible rooms of 45 and 90 square metres, and the Clore Education Room of 60 square metres in the Usher Gallery. All have disabled access.

Plan your visit