Lincoln Cathedral: Tallest Building Until 1549 and other Lincoln, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

Lincoln Cathedral has a rich history running from 1072 when it was first ordered to be built by William the Conqueror. At one stage it was the tallest building in the world, until its spires fell down in a storm in 1549. It remains the tallest cathedral in Europe without a spire.

In recent times, the cathedral was used in the filming of "The Da Vinci Code"

One of the popular things to do is find the famous Lincoln Imp, who is sitting with one leg resting on the other somewhere inside the cathedral. The myth says that two imps were blown into Lincoln by the West Wind to cause mayhem (known as the Devil's Wind just outside the cathedral because it blows so fiercely). One of them got into the cathedral and tripped up the bishop, teased the choir and started breaking windows so an angel turned him to stone and he's been sitting in the cathedral ever since. Clue: He is about one foot tall.

The views from the cathedral walls (outside) are spectacular as the cathedral is set on the top of the only hill in Lincolnshire - you can see for miles and miles.

Opening times:

Summer weekdays 7.15 am - 8.00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 7.15 am - 6.00 pm
Winter weekdays and Saturdays 7.15 am - 6.00 pm, Sundays 7.15 am - 5.00 pm

Admission:

Adults £4.00
Concessions £3.00
Children 5 -16 £1.00
Children under 5 Free

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Phone: 01522 561600 Fax: 01522 56163
Address: Lincoln LN2 1PX
Directions: You're better off not driving in the city of Lincoln itself, try to park at the top of the hill to the north of the cathedral
Website: http://home.clara.net/heureka/lincolnshire/lincoln-cathedral.htm
Other Contact: http://www.lincolncathedral.com/

This castle is an interesting walk through Lincoln's history and English history in general. Built on a Roman site where a fortress was built by Emperor Nero, William the Conqueror started building Lincoln Castle in 1068.

The castle houses one of the four surviving original Magna Carta documents, reached by walking through a museum of sorts detailing the castle history.

There are free guided tours running for about an hour and a quarter every day during the summer.

Opening Times
Summer:
Monday - Saturday - 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Sunday - 11.00 am to 5.30 pm
Winter: closing time is 4.00pm.

Last admission is 1 hour before closing.

Closed 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st December and 1st January.

Admission Prices

Adult - £3.90
Child (under 16) - £2.60
Concession - £2.60
Family (2 adults & up to 3 Children) - £10.40

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Phone: +44 (0)1522 511068
Address: Castle Hill, Lincoln, LN1 3AA
Directions: Top of Steep Hill, opposite the Cathedral
Website: http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/index.asp?catId=7014
Other Contact: Fax: +44 (0)1522 512150

Tattershall Castle is a very interesting castle just outside of the city of Lincoln. It is extrememly unusual for a medieval castle to be built in red brick, and this towering landmark with its beautiful turrets and battlements rises in stark contrast out of the green grass. It is open on limited days year round and has 6 floors to explore and fantastic views of the surrounding area. There are some old artefacts and pieces of information scattered throughout the castle.

A must if you are visiting Lincolnshire.

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Phone: 01526 342543
Address: Tattershall, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 4LR
Directions: Follow the A153, there are signs around directing you to the castle.
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Other Contact: http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/e

This Ghost Walk is an extremely interesting look at Lincoln's rich history. Lasting for about an hour, this tour runs rain, hail or ... clear night.

Each of the different guides has something a little different to tell depending on their own knowledge, but go to the same places. I went twice - the first time it was raining so hard that my teeth started chattering. Undaunted, the woman continued with the tour, but we scurried off to a pub to warm up and dry off!

The tour runs every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm from the Information Centre - at the top of Steep Hill in between the castle and the cathedral.

Cost is £4.00 for Adults, and £2.00 for Children under 12

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Phone: 01522 874 056
Website: http://www.lincolnhistorywalks.co.uk/

Many people in Lincoln insisted that this huge Christmas market was WORLD FAMOUS. All I can say to that is "I'd never heard of it". In fact, I'd never even heard of Lincoln!

This Christmas market goes for four days a few weeks before Christmas. It is the larget is Europe and extends all the way from the cathedral, through the castle and around the back, through many of the side streets and back again. You have to trek up Steep Hill to get there (unless you're smart and park at the top of the hill) but it's definitely worth it if you want to do some Christmas shopping. There is a huge variety of stalls with lots of free samples (including liqueurs, ales and cheeses) and many delicacies that will have you sniffing the air hungrily!

There is a one way system operating that means you can only go in one direction from the cathedral to the castle. You even get to go into the castle without charge - there is usually a fee for entry.

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Phone: 01522 873213 / 01522 873256
Address: top of Steep Hill
Website: http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/Information_page_+_3_pic_det.asp?id=5240
Other Contact: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin

The University of Lincoln is quite a new uni at only ten years old (began 1996). From an academic point of view, the lecturers and tutors know what they are doing and are generally extremely approachable.

The technology is very up to date and you have access to a lot of resources.

The student life is active - you can join sporting teams, social clubs, there are bars and clubs on site. There is very cheap food available on campus too - you can get a nice flilling, healthy meal for a few quid.

The administration is terrible. The enrollment process is long drawn out and a frustrating experience. Almost entirely completed in person rather than taking advantage of the internet as a tool to help in this very busy time, most of the administration people will send you to another department if you have a problem and a relatively simple question could have you walking around for hours with no result at the end. As an international student I was completely in the dark and felt unwelcome.

The assessments are marked far more harshly than in Australia (or America, I've heard) It is extremely difficult to get high marks but the fail mark is also lower. You may have a rude shock before you realise this!

The buildings are well designed but the university itself is split into quarters by the railway line and a major road which makes navigation a little difficult for newbies! You soon get used to it though.

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Address: Brayford Pool, Lincoln
Directions: The west side of the city. Unless you know your way around Lincoln, do not attempt to drive here. Park elsewhere (supermarket etc) and walk.
Website: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/

Steep Hill is the continuation of the high street and leads all the way up to Lincoln Cathedral. It is full of a wide variety of shops, from home made ice cream to second hand book shops, most are in the 'ye olde' vein. It is a very pretty part of town and well worth a visit for a leisurely stroll.

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Address: Steep Hill, High Street
Directions: Cathedral Quarter. Walk up the main street from the centre of town.

If you're looking for a church with music that really rocks, New Life is the church for you. It's a non-denominational church with a big mix of young and old people. The pastors are all good for the most part, many of them quite biblically based. They work on a rotating roster which means you may catch the same sermon twice if you're unlucky! I only did once though.

An excellent church for young people especially (maybe mid teens to 30) but welcomes all.

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Phone: 01522 542166
Address: New Life House, 22 Newland, Lincoln
Directions: Near the Brayfor Poll, on the Catrhedral side. Behind the Odeon Cinema.
Website: http://www.newlifelincoln.org.uk/

Lincoln Baptist Church is a lovely community church with a great pastor. I really like the sermons in this church and the people are really friendly.

Services are at 10:30 am and 6:15 pm

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Phone: 01522 575745
Address: Croft street, Lincoln
Directions: The street parallel to Monks Road. Using the closest traffic lights to the Waterside shopping centre heading east, follow the road straight up, it's about 250 metres from the centre of town. Next to the YMCA.
Website: http://www.lincolnbaptist.co.uk/