Lincoln Mini Guide
What can you Tell me About Lincoln?
Lincoln is a cathedral city in Lincolnshire, England. The city is separated by the River Witham and has two parts. The uphill area is the historic quarter and the downhill area is the city centre.
How Would I get There?
The city has a rail station and you can travel from
London, by changing trains at Newark or
Peterborough. Travelling by car, you can take the A1 and M1, it would take 2 hours to drive between London and Lincoln. From further afield, you can fly into
East Midlands Airport or
Humberside Airport.
What Should I see in the City?
There is so much history to discover in the city, firstly take the Heritage Trail in the picturesque Castle Square. Lincoln Cathedral is famous for its stained glass windows and the intricate wood and stone carvings inside. Look out for the famous Imp carving – it was the stone mason’s joke, that is now the city’s emblem. You can also visit the Medieval Bishop’s Palace and see the 16th century High Bridge, the oldest bridge in England that has houses on it.
Is There Anything Else to do?
In the city, you can take a tour in an open top tour bus or enjoy a river cruise. For the brave, go on a Ghost Walk in the Cathedral Quarter. If you want some peace and quiet, escape the city and head for Whisby Nature Reserve or Hartsholme Country Park. Alternatively, look to the skies at RAF Waddington or RAF Scampton, where you may see an air show and the legendary Red Arrows.
What Food Should I try?
Don’t forget to sample some of the local produce from a farmers' market or one of many delicatessens. Try the tangy Poacher cheese or spicy Lincolnshire sausages. A popular local dish is salt cured pork stuffed with parsley. For a sweet treat, try the plumbread, which has tea, cinnamon and dried fruit inside.
What Souvenirs can I buy?
The best things to buy in the city are arts and crafts and antiques or take home a foodie gift from a delicatessen. For everything else, head for Waterside Shopping Centre or St Mark’s Shopping Centre.
Any Special Events?
Many events are held in the city, one of the most famous being the Christmas Market. This takes place in the first week of December in the historic Bailgate area of the city and is based on the original German Christmas Markets.
Around 85,000 people live in the city of Lincoln but there are more like quarter of a million in the wider catchment area. It is the cathedral which defines Lincoln as a city and this beautiful building is one of the main tourist attractions when you have car hire in Lincoln.
The cathedral nearly did not make it as it was allowed to decline during the period of the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry the Eighth. During the industrial Revolution Lincoln was known for having several major companies but most of them have since ceased to exist.