Lincoln Cathedral
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When the bishop's seat moved from Dorchester-on-Thames to Lincoln, Bishop Remigius began work in 1027, which was continued by his successors, on one of the most monumental medieval cathedrals in England in keeping with the largest diocese in the country. This Anglo-Norman cathedral, completed in 1092, was badly damaged by fire in the wooden roof truss in 1141, the restored Romanesque-Norman church was subsequently damaged by an earthquake and was rebuilt by Hugo of Avalon, the French Carthusian monk who was elected bishop in 1186, in Early Gothic style incorporating the undamaged Romanesque parts. The cathedral was completed about half a century later but after the collapse of the crossing tower in 1239 it was rebuilt and with the addition of the Angel Choir in 1280 the original polygonal end of the choir was made straight to become a worthy place for the shrine of the beatified Hugo.
Lincoln Cathedral Map
Related Attractions
Upper Town
Here are to be found the most interesting medieval remains of Lincoln Old Town. At the foot of Steep Hill is the Jew's House, a Norman stone building from about 1170, and the adjoining Jew's Court, probably the remains of a former synagogue from the end of the 12th century. At this time the Jews were influential in Lincoln before being expelled from England in 1290.
Old Town Buildings
Not far from the Jew's House are Lincoln's old merchant's house Harding House (16th century), the Harlequin, a half-timbered house which was an inn in the 16th century and now an antiquarian bookshop, and Aaron's House, a Norman secular building (about 1150). The upper part of Steep Hill is lined with Georgian houses. The traditional pub "The Wig and Mitre" is 14th century and near Castle Square are other buildings from this period with 19th century shop fronts.
Cathedral Tour
West Façade
The medieval gateway leads to the imposing twin towered west front which is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The central round-arched doorway (about 1150) is Norman with 12th century frieze-like sculpture depicting scenes from the Old Testament (Noah's Ark, Daniel in the Lion's Den) and dragons in the walls, whereas the statues of kings in judgment in the niches above the main doorway are from the 13th century.
Chapterhouse
The chapterhouse adjoining Lincoln Cathedral is decagonal with its vaulting supported by a central pier; it dates from the middle of the 13th century. Several parliaments met here in the reigns of Edward I and II.
Close
Lincoln Cathedral Close is very picturesque and has a number of notable buildings, including the remains of the Old Bishop's Palace, Cantilupe Chantry and Vicar's Court (14th century); a monument commemorates the poet Lord Tennyson, who was born in Somersby in 1809 near Lincoln.
Castle
On Castle Hill is the entrance to the mighty Lincoln Castle which was built by William the Conqueror after an entire quarter of the town had been cleared in 1068; the wooden palisade was replaced in 1113 by thick defensive walls. In the southwest of the grounds stands the 12th century keep, known as Lucy Tower, in the northeast corner Cobb Hall, a horseshoe shaped bastion from the 13th century. There is a good view from the third tower, the Observatory Tower (19th century). The town's archives in the Old Prison contain a presentation of the Magna Carta from 1215, which was preserved in the Cathedral as one of four existing copies.
Bailgate
To the north of the Lincoln castle Bailgate was the center of the Roman town. Circles mark the positions of the Roman columns and in the cellar of No. 29 (Roman House) the remains of the Roman basilica can be seen. St Paul's church stands on the site of the church built by St Paulinus, who brought Christianity to Lincoln in 627. At the north end of Bailgate is the Newport Arch, one of the two best preserved Roman town gates (first century) in England - Balkerne Gate in Colchester is less well preserved.
East Bight
A small section of Lincoln's Roman town walls can be seen in East Bight.
City and County Museum (Broadgate)
The City and County Museum in Broadgate contains many Roman antiquities.
National Cycle Museum (Brayford Wharf North)
The history of the bicycle is documented in the National Cycle Museum in Brayford Wharf North.
Usher Art Gallery
The Usher Art Gallery in the gardens to the south of Lincoln cathedral has a fine collection of clocks, jewelry, miniatures and porcelain.
Museum of Lincolnshire Life
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life in Burton Road documents local customs.
Doddington Place Gardens
Doddington Place Gardens, near Sittingbourne, are landscaped gardens set in the grounds of a Victorian mansion. Spread over 10 acres they feature woodlands, formal terraces, an Edwardian rock garden, fine trees, yew hedges and spectacular views. Other points of interest include a walled courtyard, elaborate box parterres, a wide variety of roses and irises, and a turf and gravel maze.The woodland garden is spectacular in May and June. The rock garden and formal sunken garden are at their best in late summer.
RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Of particular note at this museum is a Hurricane, the last one to be built, a Spitfire V and the Lancaster 'City of Lincoln'. All of the aircraft, with the exception of one Hurricane, are capable of flight.
Tattershall Castle
Tattershall Castle was built in medieval times for Ralph Cromwell, Lord Treasurer of England. Of particular note is its keep, which is a fine example of a fortified brick dwelling built around 1440.
Water Festival
This annual week-long festival takes place during the first week in June in collaboration with Lincoln's sister city in Germany - Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. Boat parades, carnivals and street fairs provide a festive spirit throughout the week.
Bishop's Palace
The medieval Bishop's Palace is an English Heritage property located in Lincoln. The ruins stand in the shadow of the Lincoln Cathedral.
Surroundings
Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa (pop. 2,400) is near Sleaford and was noted for the curative powers of its saline waters. One of the earliest hotels in Woodhall Spa, which opened in 1882, still stands today. The Jubilee Park offers tennis courts, a bowling green, cricket ground and playground.
Gainsborough
Gainsborough (15mi/24km north of Lincoln; pop. 20,300) is a town with interesting historical associations. King Alfred was married here in 868, and the Danish king Sweyne died here in his camp in Thonock Park in 1014. During the Civil War the town was the scene of much fighting between Royalist and Parliamentary forces. The Old Hall, part of a medieval manor house has a handsome roof and an old kitchen. Gainsborough was George Eliot's (1819-1880, real name Mary Ann Evans) model for St Ogg's in "The Mill on the Floss", and some of the places she describes can still be identified.The Gainsborough Riverside Festival is an annual arts and heritage event that runs on the second weekend in June.
Bomber County Aviation Museum
On view at this museum are a number of aircraft under reconstruction. They include a Bristol Sycamore, a Mystere, a Vampire and a Hawker Hunter.
Magpie Walk
The 2.9 mile / 4.7 kilometer Magpie Walk encompasses a large section of the Whisby Nature Park, in the south west of Lincoln. The park is made up of 160 acres of lakes, ponds, woodland, scrub and grassland. The path begins at the parking lot and then goes to the west of Grebe Lake, beyond Orchid Glade, past the Railway Pit, which is actually a small lake. From there the trail goes to the Nightingale Marsh, through the Dead Forest (filled with dead birch), turns north behind the sandhills and then back south towards the Plover Beach gravel area, past Round Pit and Long Pit and then back to the parking lot.
Map of Lincoln Attractions
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