Adventure

Lincolnshire's wide open spaces are ideal for a range of recreational and competitive sports. Strap yourself into a kite-buggy and ride the sands at Mablethorpe; take a 4x4 vehicle off-road at one of the county’s motor sports centres; tee off at one of England's oldest golf clubs; learn to glide at Cranwell; or if you’re feeling competitive how about a spot of paint balling?

On and off Road

Cadwell Park is well known as one of the most popular motor racing venues in the country, hosting the British Superbike Championships and the Vintage Sports Car Club, among other meets. But it's not only professional speed freaks who can enjoy this testing track (nicknamed the mini-Nurburgring); members of the public can work on their racing line on special open days. The setting is wonderful too as the track winds through a steep-sided valley in The Lincolnshire Wolds, near Louth. The best spots for spectators include 'The Mountain' and 'The Gooseneck'.

For more driving experiences, try your hand at rallying with a full-day Rally Tuition Course at Manby Motorplex, also in the heart of the Wolds, or go off-road in a 4x4. Fulfil your boyhood (or girlhood!) dream and drive a fire engine and double-decker bus – or try your hand at all these activities on a Multi-Activity Day.

If you're a go-karter, don't miss the 1,300-metre track at Ancaster Karting while Quad-bikers have plenty of options too, with a quad-bike trail near Grantham proving popular with first-timers.

On and in the water

Burn up some energy and enjoy the extreme sport thrill of a lifetime: with its spectacular sandy beaches, Lincolnshire's Coast is a great place to take up a whole range of water-sports. Kite-surfing and windsurfing are popular on the beaches at Skegness and Cleethorpes, while land yachting and motorcycle sand racing are some of the more unusual activities on offer at Mablethorpe.

Each year the best practitioners of these sports gather for the Kite and X-fest, held annually at Skegness’ North Beach. Dubbed the ‘Urban Festival’, this event hosts kite-surfing, horse surfing and horse stunts, attracting competitors from around the world. For more information, and a programme of events, visit www.skegx.co.uk.

Swimmers are also spoilt for choice on Lincolnshire's Coast, from numerous Blue Flag beaches to the tropical climes of Splash Waterworld at Ingoldmells.

In the Air

With its rich aviation heritage, it is little wonder that Lincolnshire is one of the best places in England for sky-diving, parachuting, gliding and microlighting.

Skydive Hibaldstow is one of the best-established sky-diving schools, with a dropzone near Brigg in North Lincolnshire. Tandem skydiving, accelerated freefall tuition and static line parachuting are all on offer.

Lincolnshire also has plenty of options for gliding, microlighting and flying light aircraft, such as Piper Cherokees, Cessnas and De Haviland Chipmunks. Flying schools include Fly365 at Langworth, Fenland Flying School and Soloflight. For gliding, the RAF Cranwell Gliding Club (01400 261201, www.cranwellgc.co.uk) is steeped in aviation history, and offers lessons to civilians as well as servicemen.