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Cathedral city in Lincolnshire, England
Photo: The original uploader was Blazeblaze at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Lincoln is a city in the East Midlands of England and the county town of Lincolnshire, with a population of 97,541 in 2019.
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Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln
One of the finest Gothic buildings in Europe, at the heart of the medieval city. It was completed in 1092 but torn asunder by Britain's strongest recorded earthquake in 1185. Rebuilt, it became a great ecclesiastical centre, though the tower collapsed in 1237 and the spire in 1548. Notable features are the vaulted ceilings, the rose windows, the 1422 Medieval and 17th-century Wren libraries, the 18th century clock tower, and the baleful Lincoln Imp — look for him just left of the great east window. 21st-century repairs found that many flying buttresses had lost contact with the walls, so the cathedral was being kept upright by little more than the power of prayer, which perhaps has advanced since the last major collapse, and is another motive for the regular Anglican services here.
There's been a fort here since Roman times and probably earlier, but the stone castle was begun in 1068 by William the Conqueror. It has a large enclosure within its curtain walls, which from the 18th century was the obvious place to site a court house, jail and gibbet. So it feels Victorian or Georgian, though it holds an original copy of Magna Carta, and its most striking features are the jail museum and apparatus of punishment. The Crown Court is still in use.
This English Heritage building was built in the 12th century when the bishop was the temporal landlord of a great swathe of eastern England. It was ruined in the Civil Wars and never rebuilt; Victorian additions became a hotel.
Impressive 14th-century gatehouse by the cathedral west entrance. This was where tenants of church land came to pay rent — lots of them, for it was a big diocese. Their money was counted out on a chequered cloth, and "Exchequer" came to mean the government finance department.
The 'east gate' of the Roman city of Lindum Colonia - a fragment of the 3rd century wall and gatetower are still visible
Replica stone arch - a reconstruction of the medieval stone gate which led to the cathedral close.
Museum purpose-built to exhibit the area's many archaeological finds. It includes the extensive Usher Gallery of art. The main museum is closed for refurbishment, but is expected to reopen at the end of 2026.
Fascinating museum of the area's agricultural, industrial and social history from 1750, housed in a Victorian militia barracks.
In the Second World War, Britain's bombers were based across Lincolnshire. They took off at dusk and assembled in formation over the Home Counties, where they were joined by their fighter escort, and headed to targets. IBCC is a memorial and museum dedicated to all sides involved in this and later conflicts.
A preserved windmill built in 1798, the last of the nine mills along the Lincoln Edge which ground corn into flour for the city. It's run by the adjacent museum but is closed to visitors.
This was the First World War RFC airfield of Brattleby, which returned to farmland in peacetime, then was re-activated in the 1930s. Early pilots used the line of Ermine Street to find their way home. Scampton was among the bomber bases - one famous unit was 617 Squadron, known as the "Dambusters" for their bouncing-bomb raid on the Ruhr valley dams in 1943. RAF Scampton is no longer active as an RAF base and has now been converted to a heritage site.
Mrs Hilda Smith cared little for modern frivolities. This mid-19th-century redbrick cottage got electricity in the 1930s but she held out against running water and an inside toilet until the 1970s, when the council were minded to declare the place unfit for habitation. Hilda died in 1995, aged 102, and the place has been preserved although the pigs have been banished.
Grand pile built from 1595, the exterior is Elizabethan but the interior is mostly 18th-century. With extensive gardens.
Lincoln City are in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, as of 2026. Their home ground is Sincil Bank, with a 10,000-seat capacity, known as the ProAmpac Stadium for sponsorship purposes.
Comprehensive leisure centre with gym, pool and athletics track.
Offers numerous guided tours of the city with a local tour guide, typically leaving from the Castle Square.
Open-top hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Lincoln with a tour guide - recommended for those with limited mobility.
Grade II listed theatre hosting theatre, pantomimes, musicals and ballet
Former army drill hall turned music venue and community hub. Was almost closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now under the stewardship of Lincoln College. Has a capacity of around 500, and often hosts up-and-coming bands.
Former Great Northern Railway maintenance shed turned into Lincoln's largest music venue as part of the University of Lincoln development. Often the main venue that larger bands and artists play at. Also used for other events such as stand-up comedy and record fairs.
450-seat theatre with a focus on live shows and contemporary arts.
Former church turned venue, with a focus on community events.
Large multiplex cinema with 9 screens.
Luxury cinema with four small screens and sofa-style seating. Waiter service at your seat while you watch a film.
Large showground to the north of Lincoln hosting numerous events throughout the year
The Lincoln Astronomical Society has public viewing nights in winter. In summer the evening sky is too bright.
Festival of Lincoln's history, with the city decorated as it was in different historical periods, as well as with reenactment and historical markets.
Lincolnshire's biggest agricultural show, including livestock and equine competitions, a food festival and live music. Held at the Lincolnshire Showground, with a shuttle bus from the city centre.
A celebration of 1940s Lincoln with live music, food and drink, and other performances.
The largest Steampunk festival in the world, held in uphill Lincoln during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Not confirmed to be returning yet for 2027.
Lincoln's main Christmas Market, held in the Cathedral and surrounding grounds. It used to be much larger, but due to significant overcrowding, was postponed in 2022.
Medieval Christmas market held in downhill Lincoln, at St Mary Le Wigford Church and St Mary's Guildhall. Many medieval and medieval-inspired items for sale
Central library with free Wi-Fi and PCs. You may need to sign up for a library card first, but this is free even for non-residents. Printing is also available.
Community cafe run by volunteers, and open to all, using surplus food donated by local businesses.
Training cafe run by a local training organisation, providing local opportunities for local people to get qualifications, as well as serving cheap food.
Traditional fish and chip shop in Lincoln city centre with a takeaway downstairs and seating upstairs.
Cafe half-way up Steep Hill serving light bites.
Local butcher and bakery, with a few branches around Lincoln. Known for Lincolnshire meats, sausage rolls and sandwiches.
Vegan deli serving coffee, sandwiches, salads and other light bites.
Korean BBQ restaurant, also serving other traditional Korean dishes such as bibimbap and Korean drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Browns Pie Shop
Restaurant known for their meat pies, as well as serving local specialities such as Lincolnshire sausages. In a very historical building with famous residents including T. E. Lawrence.
Greek and other Mediterranean dishes - a little bit away from the city centre but has a great reputation amongst locals and with generous portions.
Tapas and other Spanish dishes such as paella, designed for sharing. Very close to the west gate of Lincoln Castle.
Neapolitan pizza restaurant and takeaway, serving only vegetarian and vegan pizzas.
Upscale cosy dining in one of Britain's oldest dwellings.
Fine dining restaurant showcasing Lincolnshire produce. Run as a non-profit by Lincoln College, and used as a training kitchen and restaurant for advanced catering and hospitality students
A city institution, this is a grand old pub with food and drink a-plenty.
A real ale pub, dating from 1841 and filled with brewery paraphernalia. The name comes from the nearby hangings that would occur at Lincoln Castle. Has a sun trap beer garden, popular during summer
Closest pub to the cathedral, overlooking the Castle Square. Very popular with tourists due to its location, with an outdoor terrace on the square and lots of seating
Samuel Smiths pub, so stocks the cheapest drinks uphill as long as you are fine with Samuel Smiths drinks. Very well-maintained historical building on Steep Hill. Has the typical Samuel Smiths rules (no phones, no swearing etc.).
Pub near the east of the Cathedral with very small rooms but an extensive beer garden.
Claims to be the oldest pub in Lincoln, and was first opened as a pub in the 1500s. The building was used as offices for a while but reopened as a pub in the 2010s, with a good selection of real ales
One of the oldest buildings on the Lower High Street - a former tea trader and became a pub in 1862. Now run by Batemans Brewery of Lincolnshire. Very popular with Lincoln City FC fans on matchdays.
A micropub across from St Mary's Guildhall with a good range of rotating guest beers.
Regency coaching inn, run by the Castle Rock Brewery from Nottingham. Has a good selection of ales and draught beers, and an expansive rear beer garden
Well-run council caravan park and campsite open March-Oct. Dogs welcome on lead. Around a 15-minute drive to the city centre, or catch the number 6 bus to/from Ashby Avenue
Dedicated building within the St Marks student accommodation area of the University of Lincoln for short stays. Self-catering accommodation in flats of 12 en-suite rooms with communal kitchen. Rooms are single occupancy and 18+ only.
A budget hotel on the very outskirts of Lincoln, located at the A46 service station
Charming friendly B&B near castle.
Grand little hotel between cathedral and castle, good dining. No dogs.
Convenient comfy modern hotel.
Reliable comfy chain hotel. Nearby parking is £6 a day. See also their Canwick branch.
Comfy chain hotel, 10 min walk west of stations.
Boxy modern hotel but close to station.
Pleasant welcoming guest house, southwest edge of city.
Modern midrange place with 118 bedrooms, bar and restaurant.
Smart countryside B&B with four rooms in converted farm buildings. Open Jan-Nov, 2 nights minimum, no children under 15 or dogs.
Smart friendly B&B south of centre.
Another location of this chain hotel.
Pleasant pub with rooms on Foss Dyke. A pyewipe is a plover or peewit, fond of soft ground for catching worms.
Modern budget hotel south of the train and bus station.
Very well-regarded bed and breakfast in the St Catherine's ares of Lincoln, south of the city centre. Around a 15-20 minute walk or on many bus routes from the city centre.
Plush inclusive resort in self-contained cottages.
Just north of the Castle and Cathedral, with a lot of small independent boutiques including a fabric shop, butcher, whisky shop and fashion shops.
Picture-postcard shopping area, with independent shops, mostly food and drink oriented.
Main shopping street in Lincoln, with many major chains such as M&S, Waterstones, Primark and JD, as well as independent shopping, especially towards the north end.
The only indoor shopping centre in Lincoln, with mostly chain retailers, as well as a small food court on the lower floor.
Recently redeveloped part of the city centre, close to the railway and bus stations, and filled with a mix of chain retailers (mainly higher end) and independent shops.
By train
The primary railway station is Lincoln railway station, formerly called Lincoln Central railway station.
By bus
The main bus station in Lincoln is Lincoln Central Bus Station, which is located across from the railway station.
By road
From the south, take the A1 north to Newark, and then the A46 north to Lincoln. This becomes the Lincoln bypass and continues towards Grimsby.
By bus
The main bus operators within Lincoln are Stagecoach and PC Coaches.
By car
It is not recommended to drive within Lincoln city centre if you can help it - it is very compact and walkable, and the road layout, especially in the uphill area, is very confusing even for locals.
By taxi
The main taxi operators are Handsome Cabs (+44 1522 545352), Direct Cars (+44 1522 567567) and A2B Cars (+44 1522 533433). Uber also operates in Lincoln.
By cycle
Lincoln has several cycle paths within the city, similar to other cities/towns within the UK.
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