Lincoln England. The city of Lincoln in England: its history and local attractions

Lincoln from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Lincoln.

  • Tours for May all over the world
  • Hot tours all over the world

Lincoln - picturesque city in the east of England, the administrative center of the county of Lincolnshire, located on the elevated banks of the River Witham. In ancient times on the spot modern city there was a fortification of the 9th Roman legion. In 71, the Lindum colony was established here, the center of the province of Flavia, which was inhabited by retired soldiers. Since then, the arch built by the Romans, through which cars enter the city, has been preserved. In addition, during the excavations, archaeologists discovered ancient cemeteries, thermal baths, stoves and even a fountain here.

Another notable attraction appeared here during the time of William the Conqueror. He was the first to draw attention to the elevated location of the city and ordered the construction of Lincoln Castle here to ensure control over the surrounding area.

The Tourist Information Center can be found at 9 Castle Hill, Lincoln.

How to get to Lincoln

Lincoln is close to three airports: Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield in Yorkshire, where direct trains run; Humberside Airport, which is located near the village of Barnetby (direct trains to Lincoln are also available) and East Midlands Airport in Castle Donington (Castle Donington).

Search for flights to South Yorkshire (nearest airport to Lincoln)

By bus or train

National Express operates daily buses from London (from 5 GBP, 5 hours) and Birmingham (17 GBP, 3 hours 25 minutes). In addition, trains run from Boston (14 GBP, 1.5 hours, departing every hour) and Cambridge (30 GBP, 2.5 hours). Prices on the page are for November 2018.

Attractions and attractions in Lincoln

The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln was erected in 1092 for the Bishop of Dorchester. This building suffered from fires more than once, and in 1185 it completely collapsed due to an earthquake. In the 13th century, a new cathedral was built in its place - the standard of English gothic architecture and the first building to exceed the height of the pyramid of Cheops. Simultaneously with the cathedral, in the middle of the 13th century, the chapter house was erected - the oldest example of this kind of buildings in the UK. The cathedral library is famous for its collection of medieval manuscripts.

Lincoln Castle

You should definitely visit Lincoln Castle with its prison museum and observatory tower, which offer stunning views of the city and surroundings. Opening hours: May-August 10:00-18:00, April and September 10:00-17:00, October-March 10:00-16:00. Entrance: GBP 13.50, reduced ticket: GBP 11, child ticket: GBP 7.2, family ticket: GBP 34.2, child under 5: free.

Popular hotels in Lincoln

Central England - Midland

  • Where to stay: In a variety of hotels in Birmingham - it is always noisy and fun here, or in the "Queen of the Midland" and the fiefdom of Robin Hood, ancient Nottingham. Fans of solitude and picturesque landscapes are invited by Lincoln, and those who are crazy about a hodgepodge of cultures will undoubtedly like Leicester. Shrewsbury - quiet town carefully preserved medieval architecture. Ale lovers and those interested in the history of industry should definitely stop in Derby - there are a whole bunch of old factories here.
  • What to watch: Cathedrals, museums and botanical garden

Attractions in Lincoln

1. Lincoln Cathedral(Lincoln Cathedral)

A masterpiece of Anglo-Norman architecture and Lincoln's main landmark, it is one of the most visited cathedrals in England. The construction of the cathedral began in the distant 1088, eIts three-storey interior impresses with the length and size of the two transepts, as well as with the contrasting colors of honey limestone and dark marble. During the tour, you should also pay attentionon the round window, known as the "Eye of the Deacon"with its medieval stained glass and the Bishop's Eyewith pieces of glass from different periods.A wrought iron gate leads to St Hugh's Choir, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England.

Another unique attraction of the cathedral is Lincoln's Imp, according toAccording to legend, imp (in European folklore, these are small and evil creatures) annoyed the angels in the choir so much that he turned into stone. Cathedral western front with two towers, is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles with its central frieze-like sculpture depicting scenes from the Old Testament, including Noah's Ark.

Official site: lincolncathedral.com/

2. Lincoln Castle

Castle Hill is the entrance to the mighty Lincoln Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1068. In the southwest of the grounds is a 12th-century fortress known as Lucy's Tower, and in the northeast corner is Cobb's Hall, a 1st-century horseshoe-shaped bulwark. But the real attraction is the original copy of the Magna Carta on permanent display in the museum. From 1215, this is one of four copies that have survived to this day. Also worth a visit is the nearby fully restored Victorian Prison.

Official site: www.lincolncastle.com


3. Tattershall Castle

Tattershall Castle was built in medieval times for Ralph Cromwell, Lord High Treasurer of England. His six-story manor is a fine example of a fortified brick castle in those distant and turbulent times, Tattershall was built in 1440. Be prepared to climb some steep stairs, but your effort will pay off with great views of the Lincolnshire countryside from the top. A separate excursion is the church built by Ralph Cromwell, as well as the old medieval bridges and houses in the vicinity of Tattershall.

Official site:nationaltrust.org.uk/tattershall-castle


4. Upper Town

It is in the area Upper city you will find Lincoln's most interesting medieval houses.At the foot of Steep Hill is the House of the Jews, a stone building of the Normans, built around 1170, which now houses a fairly good restaurant, the adjacent Jewish courtyard and the remains of a former synagogue from the end of the 12th century. Old trading houses Lincoln also deserve a separate tour, especially the 16th-century Harding House, the half-timbered Harlequin, a former 16th-century inn, and Aaron's House, a Norman secular building dating from 1150.


5. Museum of Lincolnshire Life

The Museum of Lincolnshire Life contains numerous exhibits relating to the region's rich and varied social history and culture from 1750 to the present.The exhibits illustrate commercial, industrial, agricultural and community life. The star of the museum's collection is the oldest tank from the First World War.Also captivating is the authentic Victorian style kitchen used to demonstrate cooking and the manual printing press. The museum occupies a former barracks built in 1857 for the Royal North Lincoln Militia.

Official site:lincolnshire.gov.uk/visiting/museums/museum-of-lincolnshire-life


6. Baylgeyt (Bailgate)

To the north of Lincoln Castle is Balegate, the center of the ancient Roman city.The circles mark the positions of the Roman columns, and in the basement number 29 in the Roman house,are the remains of an old Roman basilica.At the northern end of Balegate is Newport Arch., one of two 1st-century Roman city gates in the city, they are considered the most authentic in England.A small section of Lincoln's Roman city walls can also be seen in East Bay.

Javascript is required to view this map

Lincoln located in the eastern part, along the banks of the Witham River. He is small town, with an area of ​​36 sq. km with a population of just over 80,000 people. Two millennia ago, these places housed the military fortification of the legendary IX Roman legion, and in the Middle Ages, Lincoln was part of the territory called the Danelag, formed in the Viking era. During the reign of William the Conqueror, the city served as an important trading center in the east of the country, and was also famous for its minting of coins and for its handicraft arts. Then the great monarch ordered to build a castle here, on one of the hills, and surround it with a fortress wall. In those fierce years, when wars were fought all over Europe for the conquest of territories, the fortification of Wilhelm was of tremendous importance for the security of these lands.

Today the administrative center of Lincolnshire, plays an important cultural and economic role in modern life. There are many unique historical sights, monuments, museums, cultural and educational institutions. The abundance of parks and green spaces is also an integral feature of urban landscapes, which have an extremely attractive appearance and characterize the current image of the ancient city.

One of its central objects, causing close attention of numerous tourists, is Lincoln Cathedral of Our Lady, built in 1311 in a pronounced Gothic style, although the first building was born about two centuries earlier, but was completely destroyed by an earthquake. For a long time the temple was the most tall building in the world thanks to the 160-meter central spire that towered over the city. However, in 1549 it collapsed, and the cathedral somewhat changed its appearance. Nevertheless, it is still one of the largest shrines in Great Britain, and its Gothic architectural contours are clearly visible from any part of the city. The main historical asset of the cathedral is a collection of unique medieval manuscripts and literary works, including several thousand volumes belonging to the famous English mathematician and architect of the 17th-18th centuries, Christopher Wren, who was directly involved in the construction of the cathedral library. Also, the temple is well known in the world for its organists, among whom stands out the famous British musician of the Middle Ages, William Bird, who lived a century earlier than Christopher Wren. Today Lincoln Cathedral of the Virgin Mary is visited annually by tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over and is undoubtedly the main religious building in the entire county of Lincolnshire.

Traditionally, of great tourist interest in the city is the old lincoln castle built in the era of William the Conqueror. In his indoor areas there is a museum-prison, where you can see in what conditions the prisoners of the castle were kept and how severe the laws of the Middle Ages were. In order to admire the surroundings of Lincoln and admire the picturesque landscapes of the region, you should climb the stairs to observation deck observatory tower, which is open to the public throughout the year at different time intervals. Fans of historical artifacts should pay a visit to the Usher Gallery, located in the museum under the specific name "Collection". There are hundreds of thousands of exhibits on display, relating to various times of Lincoln's existence, from the Roman era to the present day. The halls of the museum are replenished monthly, so interest in it does not fade away. The perfect place for walks it seems nature reserve Visby with its beautiful alleys, broad-leaved green trees and neatly trimmed lawns. Besides, great place for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city Hartsholme Park. For those who prefer a more lively pastime, we recommend cadwell park, as well as areas adjacent to Waddington and Scampton airfields. The neighborhoods of Steep Hill and Balegate are home to the main shopping centers and all kinds of shops.

Geographically, Lincoln is divided into Upper and Lower City. The upper stretches along the slopes of the Lincoln Range and has major architectural attractions, including Lincoln Castle, the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, the Bishop's Palace and other historical sites. The lower city is mainly represented by residential areas and numerous shopping and entertainment establishments. At the same time, real estate and the cost of accommodation in the hotels of the Upper City are noticeably higher than in the Lower City, which is due to the high cultural significance and significant tourism activity. As elsewhere in Lincoln, there is a huge number of pubs, restaurants, cafes and eateries, in which great attention is paid to traditional English cuisine and all kinds of drinks, including beer and wines of various varieties. To move around the city, it is better to use a bicycle or public transport because the local streets are not very convenient for cars.

The region is dominated by a mild temperate climate, with an abundance of precipitation and unstable air temperatures. In winter, the thermometer, as a rule, ranges from +3 to - +5, but there are often sharp drops, accompanied by showers and strong winds. In the period from May to September, the air temperature is more stable and is characterized by average temperature+19 - +22. In addition, in this time period there are much more sunny days, and although there are rains, they are not as long as at any other time of the year. has a large number of small provincial towns, each of which is unique in its own way. Among them is Lincoln, who has a lot of merit and possesses an inimitable, typically English charm, so beloved by his guests who regularly visit the banks of the River Witham.

Currently, Lincoln in England is a city with the status of a "city" and the administrative center in the county of Lincolnshire. Its history has known both major upsurges in the development of the city, and extremely decadent times. The city of Lincoln is not popular tourist destination, however, there are objects worth seeing here.

City `s history

The city was founded on the site of the former ancient Roman fortification called Lindum Colonia, and before that, Celtic settlements were located on the local lands. The British settled here, the name turned into Lincylene, which is consonant with the current name of the city.

In the 10th century, Lincoln was a center of commerce and quite major city, although the Viking raids certainly did not contribute to its development. In those days, Lincoln even issued its own coin.

In 1068, a castle was built in Lincoln by order of William the Conqueror. This castle is still considered one of the main historical sights of the city. In 1092, the construction of the local cathedral was completed, but it was badly damaged first by fires and then by an earthquake, which is a very rare occurrence for England in general. Lincoln Cathedral was rebuilt in the Middle Ages, crowning its chapel with the highest spire in the world at that time (160 m).

Lincoln in the Middle Ages was recognized as one of the richest English cities. The local episcopate was the largest, which determined the huge number of monasteries in Lincolnshire. There were more of them here than outside the county. The economic situation was determined by the textile industry - woolen fabrics were produced and traded here.

Lincoln's economy declined in the 16th century after the closure of numerous cathedrals. The picture of the rotten and fallen spire of the cathedral, which they decided not to restore, became a symbol of complete decline.

Lincoln was able to flourish again during the Industrial Revolution, as enterprises for the production of heavy equipment, railway locomotives, and diesel engines were organized in the city. Also made in Lincoln military equipment: aircraft, tanks, ammunition, etc.

Main Attractions

Lincoln is a very picturesque city, located on the high banks of the Witham. Beautiful geographical position noticed by those who decided to found a settlement here, and then a city. Cars in modern Lincoln enter the arch, preserved from the time of the Romans. During archaeological excavations, ancient cemeteries, ovens, baths and a fountain were found here.

One of the most famous local attractions is Lincoln Castle. By the way, it still contains one of the surviving copies of the Magna Carta. The castle has preserved walls surrounded by a moat, towers, gates. The observatory tower offers a magnificent view of the surroundings. Also of interest to travelers is the museum-prison.

Another significant object and architectural landmark was the Lincoln Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, which is recognized as the purest embodiment of English Gothic.

Next to it, a building has been preserved - the chapter house, which was built in the 13th century simultaneously with the temple. This is the oldest example of such a building in the whole of the UK.

The library at the cathedral is known for its huge collection of medieval manuscripts. The library was built by Christopher Wren, who donated more than 5,000 of his own books to it. Lincoln Cathedral is one of the three largest churches in England.