Lincoln Arboretum

Lincoln Arboretum is a listed public park spanning about 22 acres and features two ponds, numerous walking paths, and a diverse collection of native and exotic tree species. The grounds include restored gardens, well-maintained footpaths, bridges, and stone steps distributed throughout the property.

Edward Milner designed this Victorian park between 1870 and 1872 following the Lincoln Commons Act, transforming the former Monks Ley Common into public gardens. Various structures were added over subsequent decades and the grounds have undergone multiple restoration projects since then.

The cast-iron bandstand from 1884 continues to host musical performances and community gatherings, preserving the Victorian tradition of public entertainment. The layout and planted areas create spaces where people naturally meet and spend time together throughout the seasons.

The park is open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM and provides easy access to restored gardens, maintained pathways, and bridges throughout the grounds. The terrain includes stone steps and varies in surface, so conditions may differ depending on weather or recent maintenance work.

The park contains five listed structures including a Victorian bandstand, cast-iron shelter, and stone lion statue that visitors often overlook when walking through. These elements date from different periods of the 19th and 20th centuries and contribute to the architectural character of the site.