"More history than you can shake a stick... " a Lincoln Travel Page by leics

Lincoln is like York in many ways.........a Roman town of great importance (then called Lindum), the site of a beautiful Medieval cathedral and still retaining much of its ancient street-layout. It is very popular with tourists, and (I suspect) becomes extremely crowded in the summer months. Out of season though, even on a Saturday afternoon, it's possible to thoroughly enjoy exploring what the local council now calls the 'historic quarter' (why?).

Some parts of Lindum can still be seen, including what was once the North gate of the town. There are a few bits of Roman wall around, but the mosaics and other artefacts which have been discovered are largely in museums.

Lincoln Cathedral, consecrated in 1092, is beautiful and deserves adequate time to properly explore it. The Chapter house (1230-50) has an amazing umbrella-style roof, and (unusually) surviving wall-paintings. The Lincoln Imp is famous, but there are (as in all Medieval cathedrals) many almost-hidden carvings which fascinate me. See travelogue below for more pictures.

Lincoln Castle (1068) is an impressive Norman stronghold opposite the cathedral, with what was a Victorian prison inside. At one time it operated the 'separate system', which basically meant solitary confinement. The Victorian prison chapel was designed to ensure that prisoners could not see anyone other then the chaplain. A very cruel system. Some of the hanged prisoners were buried within the keep (Lucy Tower), and I have to admit that it is one of the few places I have had to leave almost immediately. The atmosphere was unpleasant, and oppressive. Very strange.

Steep Hill winds down from the cathedral area to what is now the main part of town. Lined with teashops, bookshops and antique shops, many of its buildings are architecturally interesting. Two of them (the Jew's House and the Norman House) date back to the 12th century and are rare examples of Norman domestic architecture. Lots of photo opportunities and a very good (and extensive) second-hand bookshop (The Reader's Rest). It's worth a wander into the lower part of Lincoln, although it is much the same as anywhere else in the UK now...........Macdonalds, Next, WHSmith etc.......though the ancient Stonebow is worth seeing, and the Waterside area will be pretty in good weather.