Lincoln Festival of History

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.

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.