CITY 

Introduction:-

Lincoln is the county town of Lincolnshire and lies in the East Midlands on the River Witham. The local area is basically agricultural and flat but the City’s Cathedral and Castle are situated on a hill in the city centre. The current population is approximately 100,000. 

Brief History:

Starting as a Roman settlement called Lindum colonia, the town was further taken over by Angles, Danes and eventually by Alfred the Great. By now the name had changed to Lindon and finally Lincoln. By the 10th century Lincoln was a large town for the times with its own mint and many trades being carried out. 

After the Normans took over England the population rose to 6000 and the first castle was built. The first cathedral was completed in 1092 but suffered a number of misfortunes in the coming years. The city prospered for a couple of centuries but went into decline in the 14th century when its wool trade slumped. 

In 1700 the population at 4000 was still a lot less than when the Normans arrived. Then, with improved transport communications the city began to prosper again and the market town became an industrial centre. 

During the Victorian era all the trappings of a modern city were introduced. In the First World War tanks and aircraft were constructed and in the Second World War the city suffered bombing raids. 

Post war saw the erection of public buildings, shopping centres, university etc. 

The 21st Century economy is now based on education, services and tourism in place of engineering etc. 

Things to Do: 

Lincoln Cathedral:

The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin of Lincoln was began in 1088 and was the tallest building in the world from 1311-1549. It is now the third largest cathedral in Britain, after St. Paul’s and York Minster. Located on the top of Steep Hill the area provides wonderful views. 

It is open for visitors between 7.15am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and ‘til 5pm on Sunday. Among the interesting things to see are The Treasury and The Angel Choir. 

There is an admission charge at certain times, which can also be combined with a visit to Lincoln Castle. Check the Cathedral’s website for further details. 

There is a shop and food and drink can be bought in the Refectory. 

The Cathedral address is 4 Priorygate. The website address is www.lincolncathedral.com and phone number is 01522 561600. 

Lincoln Castle:

Built in the late 11th Century by William the Conqueror, Lincoln Castle is one of the most impressive Norman castles in the country. It is one of only two castles to have two mottes. The other is Lewes in Sussex. 

It is open to the public as a museum and the Crown Court operates from the castle to this day. A walk around the walls affords magnificent views of the city, cathedral and surrounding countryside. There is much to see in the castle itself, including one of four original copies of the Magna Carta. There is also a café and shop. For full information about the visit you can view www.lincolncastle.com and the email address can be found on the website. 

Steep Hill:

Gets its name from the gradient of the hill. It is a popular tourist attraction and the entrances to the Cathedral and Castle can be found at the top. There are two interesting Norman properties on the street, Jew’s House (Aaron the Jew’s House) and Norman House. The street also contains, amongst its varied architecture, some half-timbered houses. 

Doddington Hall:

This Elizabethan mansion lies five miles west of Lincoln on the B1190. The house is, today, a family home but one that is open to the public. It allows a unique insight into family life through the ages. Outside the property are 5 acres of gardens to walk.

There is also a range of quality shops, together with a café, restaurant and coffee shop. It is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm and until 4pm on Sunday. Full information at www.doddingtonhall.com . 

Usher Gallery:

Also known as The Collection, the gallery contains Lincolnshire’s premier art gallery together with an archaeology gallery which has artefacts stretching back to the stone age through bronze, iron, Roman to Medieval eras. Located on Danes Terrace, entrance is free and is open from 10am to 4pm daily. Full details at www.thecollectionmuseum.com . 

Museum of Lincolnshire:

This is the largest museum in the county and contains over a quarter of a million objects. These cover the commercial, domestic, agricultural, industrial and community life of the county from 1750 to the present day. Located at Old Barracks, Burton Road, Lincoln, entrance is free. The museum is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm.  

RAF Scampton Museum:

Home of the Red Arrows and previously the home of the Dambusters. With heritage like this a visit here is a must. The Heritage Centre covers Pre-War years, World War 2, the Cold War and Present day. 

Whilst the museum is open to the public, entry is only by prior arrangement.

For further information check out www.raf.mod.uk/rafscampton . 

High Bridge:

This is the oldest bridge in the UK that still has buildings on it. Spanning the River Witham, in the city centre, it was built about 1160AD. The bridge had a chapel which was dedicated to Thomas Becket in 1235, but which was removed in 1762.

The three storey timber framed shops date from 1550 and still stand. 

Night Life:

The city possesses a fair range of night clubs, bars and pubs. Most of these are located in the High Street/Silver Street area. Current clubs include Circle, Home and Moka & Shack.

Good theatre can be found at the New Theatre Royal in Clasketgate. This 1806 built venue puts on the whole range of the arts from comedy, musicals, ballet, drama and opera etc. There is also the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre in the city 

Odeon and Venue provide cinema. 

Being a University city a lively night out is guaranteed. 

Eating Out:

As well as the usual ethnic fare, Lincoln does possess some good restaurants providing some local and continental dishes. Add to that the pubs, tea rooms, hotels and cafes providing food, a good selection can be found. 

The Waterfront and Cathedral Quarter are good places to head for. 

Shopping:

With national department and chain stores, plus local specialist shops, boutiques and markets, Lincoln provides a good shopping experience. 

The main areas to visit are High Street, Waterside Shopping and St. Marks Shopping Centre. More interesting, perhaps, are the shops on Steep Hill and Bailgate in the Cathedral Quarter. 

Accommodation:

The city has a good range of national hotel chains, local hotels, guest houses and pubs to choose from. Added to that is self catering accommodation and if timing is right the University open up their bedrooms to visitors. 

Transport: 

Buses:

Uniquely, the city runs a service called Walk and Ride which connects 12 points around the city in a hop on hop off manner. This particularly helps getting up and down Steep Hill. The service runs Monday to Saturday between 9.10am to 2.47pm and then from 4.10pm to 5.22pm. A map and further information can be found at  www.visitlincoln.com . 

There is also a Park and Ride route which runs from Waitrose, to the north of the city, at LN2 4DS and runs to the Cathedral, Broadgate and Bus Station. This service runs every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday. Details again from www.visitlincoln.com . 

Up to a dozen private operators run buses in the city and surrounding areas. These routes connect the city to other towns including Grantham, Skegness, Boston, Spalding and Sleaford. For info regarding maps and timetables check out www.lincsbus.info . 

Road:

In truth access to Lincoln by road is not a terrific option. Lying bang in the centre of Lincolnshire, motorways do not feature much. However, the roads are reasonably quiet that lead to the city. 

If travelling from the north, use the A15 from Hull or A46 from Grimsby. 

From the south, use the A46 from Leicester, Nottingham and Newark or the A1 and A15 from London and East Anglia. 

Use the A158 if travelling from Skegness in the east and the A1 and A57 if travelling from Leeds and Sheffield in the west. 

Railway:

Lincoln Central Station is located in St. Mary’s Street, LN5 7EW and trains are generally handled by East Midlands and Northern Railways. 

Trains travelling to London King’s Cross usually need a change at Newark or Retford.

Locally the city is served by trains from Peterborough, Leicester, Scunthorpe, Sheffield and Grimsby. 

Air:

The two nearest airports to Lincoln are East Midlands and Humberside. 

To get to and from East Midlands you take a coach between the airport and Nottingham and then by train to Lincoln. 

The quickest route from Humberside to Lincoln is by taxi, taking 42 minutes. Train takes 2 hours 17 minutes via bus to Grimsby where you change to the train. 

Taxis:

A dozen taxi companies cover the Lincoln area. Check internet.