History & Heritage
Dating back over 2000 years, Lincoln is a city steeped in history. Take a walk along the cobbled streets and you'll find Roman ruins, Tudor landmarks and Medieval battlements.
Once a powerful centre of industry and wealth, Lincoln has a history that once saw it rival London. Awe-inspiring architecture dominates the skyline, telling the story of a city that has overcome epic battles, great plagues and perilous storms.
Harbouring 17 centuries of secrets, this charming city has much to explore. From the higgledy-piggledy houses of Sincil Street to the ruins of the Medieval Bishop’s Palace, Lincoln’s cobbled streets are laced with stories, just waiting to be discovered.
The city’s award-winning attractions help set the scene, immersing you in the past. You can walk in the footsteps of kings and criminals at Lincoln Castle, explore the towering heights of Lincoln Cathedral and get up close to royal regalia at the historic Guildhall.
The site of the first settlement in Lincoln, the Brayford Waterfront tells the story of Lincoln’s industrial past. This Roman waterway was once the fourth busiest in the country, lined with warehouses, mills, breweries and maltings.
Despite having developed immensely over the past two millennia, elements of the city’s industrial past are still evident today. Visit the DoubleTree by Hilton to see the door of the old Electric Works; stop for a drink at the Royal William IV, a Grade-II listed pub dating back to 1840; pay a visit to the Great Central Warehouse, originally a railway goods warehouse, this impressive building is now home to the University of Lincoln’s library.
Venture out into the surrounding countryside during your stay and you can follow the journey of The Mayflower Pilgrims at Gainsborough Old Hall, trace the Roman roads through the Lincolnshire Wolds or immerse yourself in the Elizabethan history of Doddington Hall.
Historic Must-Sees
Guildhall and Stonebow
- History & Heritage
Lincoln Guildhall and Stonebow have been the meeting place of the City Council since Medieval times…
Lincoln Cathedral
- Cathedral / Minister
Considered to be one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in Europe, Lincoln Cathedral is…
Medieval Bishops' Palace
- Historic House / Palace
Standing in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral, the Medieval Bishops' Palace was once among the…
Newport Arch
- Historic Site
One of the surviving jewels of Roman Britain, Newport Arch is the oldest arch in the UK still…
Lincoln Castle
- Castle
Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Lincoln Castle has dominated the Lincoln skyline for almost…
Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest
- History & Heritage
These two historically important documents are on display in a subterranean vault inside Lincoln…
Belton Estate
- Historic House / Palace
The Belton Estate is home to Belton House, a Grade-I listed country house in the parish of Belton…
Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens
- Historic House / Palace
Dating back to 1700, Gunby Hall is set within Victorian walled gardens, at the foot of the…
Inspiration for your trip
Lincoln: The birthplace of the tank
Lincoln was instrumental in the invention of a machine that saved thousands of lives during the…
Who is George Boole?
Known as the ‘grandfather of the digital world’, George Boole is a legendary…
Éamon de Valera’s escape from Lincoln Prison
Éamon de Valera was possibly the most famous and influential Irish statesman of modern times…
Lincolnshire: Home of the Dambusters
On the 17 May 1943, 617 Squadron were returning home to RAF Scampton airfield after a successful…
What is Lincolnshire Day?
Lincolnshire Day takes place on the 1st October every year. Dating back to 2006, this commemorative…
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