Lincoln
Lincoln's skyline is set by two buildings sharing the top of the hill above the city: the cathedral and the castle, both largely Norman in origin and both still dominating the view for miles across the flat surrounding countryside.
Lincoln Cathedral was begun in 1072 and largely rebuilt after an earthquake in the 12th century; for a long stretch after its central spire was completed in 1311, it's reputed to have been the tallest building in the world, a title it held until that spire came down in a storm in 1548. Lincoln Castle, built by William the Conqueror the same year work started on the cathedral, holds one of the surviving original copies of Magna Carta, on display in a purpose-built vault.
Connecting the hilltop "uphill" area to the city centre below is Steep Hill, a cobbled medieval street lined with independent shops and cafés that's steep enough to need a handrail in places — regularly named among the best streets in Britain for exactly that mix of setting and character. The Bailgate area at the top, just outside the cathedral's close, has its own cluster of independent shops and restaurants around the old Roman gateway.
Where to Stay in Lincoln
- White Hart Hotel — a historic hotel standing directly between the cathedral and the castle, with roots going back centuries.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln — in the uphill Cathedral Quarter, within easy walking distance of both landmarks.
- The Bentley Hotel — a spa hotel a short drive from the city centre, with leisure facilities on site.
- Premier Inn Lincoln City Centre — down by the Brayford Waterfront, close to the train station.
Getting there
Lincoln has direct rail links to Nottingham, Sheffield and Newark, and sits just off the A46 and A15, though the uphill historic core is best explored on foot once you've arrived.