In this edition of Pretty Places we look at only our second cathedral city to feature in the series. Lincoln, in the county of Lincolnshire is a historic county town with evidence of its habitation dating back to the Iron Age. With such a broad history it is no surprise that there is plenty to see if you visit Lincoln, from beautiful townhouses to castle walls.
Located in the east of England, Lincoln is a urban city, well-connected to the numerous metropolitan cities nearby (such as Sheffield and Nottingham). Despite this citified landscape that surrounds much of the city, there is a sizeable historic and protected area of the city that retains its English-village charm that so many visitors flock to see.
Sitting at the top of a hill overlooking the city is Lincoln Cathedral built by the Normans in the 11th century in the medieval Gothic style. Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the year for nearly 240 years and was well-known for holding one of only four copies of the Magna Carta (which is now securely held at Lincoln Castle).
The area surrounding the cathedral is the most beautiful part of the city with winding cobblestone streets lined with wonky cottages, independent shops and cafes. Steep Hill is the main street that leads to Castle Hill, a town square hosting traditional pubs, a tourist information centre housed in a historic Tudor building, Lincoln Castle and Lincoln Cathedral. In winter the square also hosts the Christmas Markets.
Lincoln Castle is an 11th century fortress with medieval castle walls open to the public with great views of the city and the cathedral. Within the grounds of the fortress is also a Victorian prison, which is also open to the public. The castle itself is used by Lincolnshire County Council, however the public can access Lincoln’s Magna Carta held inside the castle in it’s ‘stately vault’.
Other attractions in Lincoln include the Bishops’ Palace – medieval ruins set within a complex of beautiful historic buildings and lawned spaces. Lincoln Waterworks is a monument that towers over the city built in 1911 in Art Deco style. Nearby stands Ellis Mill, a 1798 windmill that has been restored to produce wholemeal flour.
Lincoln is served by the East Midlands Railway, London North Eastern Railway and Northern Rail, meaning that the city can be easily accessed from a wide choice of larger cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester. Nearby airports include Leeds Bradford, and Birmingham Airport.
Find out more about Lincoln by visiting their tourist board website here. Nearby Pretty Places include Ely in Cambridgeshire, which is a 2 hour drive away or Buxton in Derbyshire, also a 2 hour drive away. You can also view previous Pretty Places posts by using the ‘Pretty Places‘ tag.
images: scene therapy