Lincoln, UK

We visited Lincoln for the first time last year and loved it. When you visit the castle, make sure you also visit the Victorian prison inside. We loved walking around the higher part of the town where the cathedral and castle are. If you like tea, this shop was very good: https://imperialteas.co.uk/

The Cathedral must be top of the list and it is also worth doing the floor tour with one of their guides. It is included in the admission price. The guides are really knowledgeable and present the history of the cathedral in an entertaining way. They also point out details of carving you might otherwise miss . The roof tour is an extra charge but again is well worth doing. There are warnings the tour should only be attempted by those who are fit and healthy as there are 127 steps to climb, although not in all in one go. You do have stops on the way! It’ s not suitable for those suffering from vertigo or claustrophobia as the steps are steep and narrow. Also you , once started, you can’t change your mind...

Don’t be put off by all that, as I found this fascinating. You can read my review here (it’s scarty how long ago it is since I wrote this. Unfortunately I hadn’t taken the camera with me and I don’t think the knees would cope now... )

Doing both the tours and then going round the cathedral by myself took up most of the day, It also has a good cafe.

Just across the road is the ruined Bishop's Palace which was built in 1163, and was the e administrative heart of the diocese for over 500 years. It tends to be ignored by visitors and there isn't a lot of it left. The exhibition next to the ticket office has information about its history and also a short video. It is worth soending time here before visiting the ruins - and then going in to watch the video again as the site is a bit confusing. It has marvellous views upo to the cathedral and also a small vineyard. It has an excellent guide book.

Lincoln Castle is the next big attraction, and again it is worth joining one of the tours of the castle. Do walk around the walls as you get really good views of Lincoln from them. There is also the Magna Carta exhibition in the castle. Don’t miss the Victorian prison with its separate wings for men and women and the prison chapel. It is unique

as the prisoners were enclosed in wooden box like 'cells', separated from each other by a locked door. They were unable to see or communicate with their neighbours and could only see the prison chaplain in his pulpit. The chaplain could however look down and see everyone.

There’s lots of information about the castle and prison from #15 here.

Between the two is the small church with a very long name - St Mary Magdalene with St Paul in the Bail and St Michael on the Mount. Check if it is open as it is worth sticking you head through the door if the church is open.

Lincoln Visitor Centre is in the lovely timber frame building across the road from the church and has information about guided tours and walking trails around Lincoln. There is information here. There is even a ghost tour!

From Castle Square, it is worth walking down Steep Hill (and it is steep too) as there are some rather nice Norman buildings on it. It also has an electic range of shops.

cont....

The Guildhall by the Stonebow is also open for guided tours . These take you into the council chamber and you also see the civic insignia including a sword that belonged to Richard II which was presented to the city in 1387. Again the guides are excellent and cover a lot of the history of the building and the city.

Check if the Lincoln Archaeology Museum on Danes Terrace has reopened. It has been closed for a major refurbishment but is due to reopen sometime this year. It has an excellent collection of artefacts from the stone age to the middle ages.

Near by is the Usher Gallery which has a collection of art works, sculptures, silver and am amazing china collection. It is free and well worth a look. Both are free.

The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is on Burton Road and a bit further to walk from the cathedral area. It is housed in the old Barracks. It has old shops and period rooms dating from the 1750s as well as a Victorian classroom. There is also a display about the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and the Lincolnshire Yeomanry from the C17th to 1960. This includes details of battles fought including Sikh Wars, Indian Mutiny and Nile Campaign. There is also a section on the Dervish warriors and why the British regarded them as the toughest they had fought against. There is a reconstruction with sound effects of a World War One trench with soldiers going over the top.

Again it is free and an interesting museum, even if a rather old fashioned feel.

The Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum on Whisby Road is only open Sundays although it may be possible to prearrange a visit on a Tuesday. This has a wonerful collection of old buses, cars and commercial vehicles.

A a few miles outside Lincoln is Doddington Hall, an Elizabethan family home built around 1600 and surrounded by lovely gardens. If it is a suny day there are several walks you can do around the estate.

There's plenty to do and see in Lincoln and the centre is compact and walkable. If you don't want to walk up Steep Hill, there is a shuttle bus that runs a 20 minute circular route covering all the main attractions . (if it is very busy, the timetable can go haywire though...)

Thank you so much wasleys for your detailed list of ideas for a visit to Lincoln. There is so much of interest to do there, much of which we were not aware of.
Thank you Cat VH for the mention of the tea shop. We will plan to make a stop there!