Top 10 Things To Do In Scunthorpe, England

1. Visit the visually stimulating 20-21 Visual Arts Centre

Housed in a former church structure, 20-21 Visual Arts Centre boasts a range of contemporary visual arts from artists all over the world. The arts centre introduces new exhibitions every few months so that you will always discover something new each time you visit. The best part? Entry is free! For things to do, it also hosts regular creative arts workshop for all ages. When you’re done touring the arts centre, take a break at Café 20-21 that serves mainly savoury sandwiches and fresh homemade sweet bakes. There’s also free WiFi so you can post your pictures in real-time on social media. 20-21 Visual Arts Centre is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. However, you can still experience the exhibitions by heading to their website to take a virtual 3D exhibition tour!

20-21 Visual Arts Centre

Address: Church Square, Scunthorpe DN15 6TA, United Kingdom

Website: 20-21 Visual Arts Centre

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

2. Have a fun family day at Wacky Warehouse - Old Farmhouse

Not exactly a farmhouse nor a warehouse, Wacky Warehouse is actually an amusement centre for kids and Old Farmhouse is a family-friendly pub restaurant. Wacky Warehouse houses a huge indoor playground and it is a favourite among local families. Rain or shine, kids can run free around the playground, and parents can rest in a comfortable seating area while indulging in tea and pastries. For a full meal, head to Old Farmhouse for an all-day breakfast or classic fish and chips!

Wacky Warehouse - Old Farmhouse

Address: Doncaster Rd, Scunthorpe DN15 8TE, United Kingdom

Website: Wacky Warehouse - Old Farmhouse

3. Take a leisure stroll to Julian's Bower

This is by far one of the most picturesque things to do in Scunthorpe. Hidden on a hill, Julian’s Bower is nothing like your ordinary maze. Flat on the ground and round in shape, the unique design of this ancient turf maze only has one entrance and one path. Julian’s Bower picture-perfect backdrop overlooks three rivers, making it a therapeutic visit to this ancient maze. Perfect for a leisure stroll, it typically takes about four hours to explore Julian’s Bower and its surroundings.

Julian's Bower

Address: Alkborough, Scunthorpe DN15 9JN, United Kingdom

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Play a game of golf and more at Grange Park Golf Course

Grange Park Golf Course is a challenging 18-hole course that is open to beginners and seasoned golfers. What makes this golf course a golfer’s paradise is not just the challenging course but also the surrounding nature that makes it a stunning location. If golfing isn’t your thing, try fishing or playing a game of tennis at Grange Park Golf Course. After a day of activities, indulge in a hearty home-cooked meal at the 19th Hole Bar & Restaurant.

Grange Park Golf Course

Address: Grange Park, Butterwick Road, Messingham, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN17 3PP

Website: Grange Park Golf Course

Price: From 10 - 22 GBP (13 - 30 USD)

5. Indulge in an authentic afternoon tea experience at The Old School Messingham

One of the more local things to do in Scunthorpe is to visit The Old School Messingham - a café, an antique shop, and a flower shop under one roof. Highly rated for their afternoon tea, the menu includes three tiers of classic scones, savoury sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. The best part is that the afternoon tea serves free-flow tea or coffee at only 19.5 GBP (26 USD). At the antique store, you will find the perfect souvenir from your trip to Scunthorpe. Don’t forget to ask Steve for some honest antique shopping advice! If antiques don’t fit your cup of tea, unleash your creativity at Sims flower shop, and create a bouquet of fresh flowers.

The Old School Messingham

Address: 42 Northfield Rd, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN17 3SA, United Kingdom

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)

6. Get to know Scunthorpe better at North Lincolnshire Museum

The best way to learn more about Scunthorpe’s history is to make a visit to North Lincolnshire Museum. North Lincolnshire Museum is a local museum known for its archaeology and local history exhibitions. A popular attraction among families, the museum houses seven permanent interactive exhibits namely Jurassic Sea, Steel Town, Iron Stone Cottage, Local History, People’s War, Post War, and Archaeology. Also, this museum is free to explore for all ages. You can also experience the museum by heading to their website to take a virtual 3D tour.

North Lincolnshire Museum

Address: Oswald Rd, Scunthorpe DN15 7BD, United Kingdom

Website: North Lincolnshire Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm

7. Experience more than just pigs at The Pink Pig Farm

Similar to Wacky Warehouse - Old Farmhouse, The Pink Pig Farm also has an indoor playground for kids. The only difference is that The Pink Pig Farm has an outdoor play area and an actual farm! Popular activities among kids at the farm include tractor rides, zip-wire, and animal holding. Greedy Pig Café is an award-winning café that uses free-range ingredients to cook their dishes such as locally baked potatoes, homemade sausage rolls, Bakewell slice, and more. Located about an hour away from Scunthorpe’s central area, this is hands down one of the best things to do in Scunthorpe for families with kids.

The Pink Pig Farm

Address: Holme Hall, Holme Ln, Scunthorpe DN16 3RE, United Kingdom

Website: The Pink Pig Farm

Opening hours: 11am - 1pm (daily)

8. Get up-close and personal with animals at Messingham Zoo

It only takes about 20 minutes to explore the entire zoo, but don’t expect this to be your average zoo. Messingham Zoo is a small facility focusing on close encounters with the animals in order to educate the public better about animal care and welfare. From birds to mammals, you can only find a handful of animals at this zoo such as a white fox, barn owl, and meerkat, to name a few. Take a tour around Messingham Zoo and let their friendly keepers share with you the story of each animal.

Messingham Zoo

Address: Butterwick Rd, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN17 3PN, United Kingdom

Website: Messingham Zoo

Opening hours: Fri - Tue: 10am - 5pm (closed on Wed & Thu)

Price: 7 GBP (9 USD)

9. Experience a different kind of Broadway at The Plowright Theatre

If you’re looking for something different from a Broadway experience, watch a live performance at The Plowright Theatre. Local music bands, comedians, and local production dramas have graced the stage at The Plowright Theatre. However, the most outstanding performance of them all is the pantomime performance which the theatre holds every year and is a favourite among locals. For the best experience, go impromptu! Instead of booking online, go to the box office and purchase a ticket on the spot to see a performance.

The Plowright Theatre

Address: Laneham St, Scunthorpe DN15 6JT, United Kingdom

Website: The Plowright Theatre

10. Shop for local and international brands at The Foundry

At the heart of Scunthorpe, you will find a popular local shopping centre - The Foundry. It is hard to miss this shopping centre as it is only 10 minutes away from Scunthorpe railway station which also happens to be the station you alight at when you arrive from London. With over 40 retail stores consisting of local and international brands, there’s no better way to conclude your trip to Scunthorpe than by spending a relaxing afternoon at this local shopping centre. Also, The Foundry is a car-free zone shopping centre, making it kid-friendly for families!

The Foundry

Address: 76 High St, Scunthorpe DN15 6SD, United Kingdom

Website: The Foundry

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm

Be the first few to discover Scunthorpe

While it is still under many tourists’ radar, a visit to Scunthorpe would be the perfect laid-back trip for many. With lesser crowds, Scunthorpe is budget-friendly to explore and gives visitors the opportunity to discover this quaint town like a local. Beyond the factories, Scunthorpe is undeniably the perfect destination for arts and nature lovers as well as families looking for a fun local experience in England.

Editor’s Note: Due to Covid-19, the business hours of 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Wacky Warehouse - Old Farmhouse, and North Lincolnshire Museum may differ from the stated timings in this article. Please be sure to check the updated hours from the websites.