Lincoln is a city you simply must visit when touring Great Britain.
To give you a flavour of what there is to offer in this wonderful city, please see below for our Top 10!
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is one of the finest medieval buildings in Europe. High on the hill over looking the ancient city and dominating the skyline for many miles, it has a visual impact, which is nothing less than inspiring. It has been a major centre of worship for nearly 1,000 years and is a centre of excellence for fine art, conservation, music and architecture.
Lincoln Castle
William the Conquerors Castle, dates from 1068. Enjoy exploring the 900-year-old wall walks, towers and beautiful grounds. Inside see one of the four surviving Magna Cartas sealed by King John in 1215. The Victorian prison still stands in the castle grounds and includes a unique chapel once used for the harsh separate system of solitary confinement.
Medieval Bishops’ Palace
In the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral lies the Medieval Bishops' Palace. The East Hall range, with its great vaulted undercroft, the public West Hall and its kitchen, the later Chapel range and entrance tower, make this one of the most impressive Bishops' houses in England. The English Heritage property has a new visitor centre and contemporary heritage garden.
Ellis Mill & The Museum of Lincolnshire Life
This working windmill is situated in Mill Road behind the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. Built in 1798, it is the sole survivor of nine mills in this part of the city and still produces flour for sale (wind willing). The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is the county’s foremost community museum. Fascinating displays concentrate on the rich and varied heritage of Lincolnshire life. The museum contains many unique items, such as the earliest surviving tank, built in 1917 by William Foster and Co. Ltd of Lincoln. The Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Galleries have recently undergone a major refurbishment and tell the moving story of the regiment.
The Collection
The Collection is a fabulous free venue, encompassing the Usher Art Gallery, showcasing a fine selection of Lincolnshire’s artefacts and art collections. The Collection includes a wealth of artefacts from the Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, Viking and Medieval eras as well as fine, decorative and contemporary visual arts and a vibrant temporary exhibition programme. Highlights include a Roman mosaic, one of the earliest Bronze Age gold bracelets found in Europe and a wealth of Iron Age finds. The art collection includes work from local, national and international artists.
Lincoln Drill Hall
Lincoln Drill Hall is a fantastic cultural venue, located in the heart of the Cultural Quarter. It is run by a friendly team and offers an exciting programme of events including theatre, comedy, dance, classical music, jazz, rock and pop, as well as workshops for children and adults. Visit the venue's modern Armoury Café Bar for great food, a warm and relaxed atmosphere and live music on certain days of the week.
Lincoln Guildhall
The Guildhall is situated above the Stonebow, the site of the southern gateway to the Roman town. It is the “official home” of the Mayor and houses the Civic Insignia Room in the old debtor's prison. The present building was completed in 1520. The mote bell (c1371) is located on the roof of the Guildhall and is still rung to summon Councillors to meetings. The City's fine collection of insignia includes the Richard II sword, the Charles I mace, chains of office and much more. The building has been adapted to assist those less mobile and includes a stair lift.
Character Quarter Shopping
Lincoln is a shoppers paradise. The Cathedral Quarter is where you’ll find the locally run individual bespoke shops, offering a fantastic service and good quality products. This area is surrounded by the medieval cobbled streets and houses some great tea rooms so you can take a refreshing break. The High Street Quarter is home to an abundance of major brands and retailers, pay a visit to the Waterside Shopping Centre and St Marks Shopping Centre.
The Lawn
Tranquil and relaxing, the Lawn offers you a place to visit away from the bustling city centre – close to Lincoln Castle. Experience unique shops, a 5 start guest accommodation, a tropical “hot house” and a peaceful garden celebrating Lincoln’s twinning connections.
Guided Tours
One of the best ways to discover the hidden history, heritage and stories of Lincoln is to take a guided tour, a ghost tour or a boat tour. Each tour offers something different, whether you want to relax on a boat tour down the Roman Fossdyke Canal, take in the history of the Cathedral Quarter or discover the city’s ghosts – we can be sure you will find something to suit your tastes.
There is so much more to see and do in Lincoln and the above is only a small snapshot to whet your appetite, for further details, log on to www.lincoln.gov.uk or www.visitlincolnhsire.com