Lincoln sits on a hill in the East Midlands and refuses to be ignored. The cathedral towers rise 83 metres above the surrounding plain. They are visible from 40 kilometres away on a clear day. Lincoln was a major city in Roman Britain. The Romans built a fortress here in 60 AD. It was one of the 4 largest cities in medieval England. Its population reached 8,000 people by 1200. Yet Lincoln is often overlooked by tourists. The guidebooks rarely mention it. This is a mistake. Lincoln has one of the finest cathedrals in Europe. It has a 900-year-old castle. It has Roman gates and medieval houses. The city rewards those who make the journey.
Lincoln Cathedral: 300 Years of Construction and the Tallest Building in the World
Lincoln Cathedral was built between 1072 and 1311. The central spire was completed in 1311. At 160 metres, it was the tallest building in the world. The spire collapsed in 1549. The current towers rise to 83 metres. The cathedral was considered the most beautiful in England by John Ruskin. The Angel Choir was added between 1256 and 1280. It has 28 carved angels in the spandrels above the arches. The Lincoln Imp, a carved stone creature, sits on a pillar in the Angel Choir. The chapter house has 50 carved seats from the 13th century. The Treasury holds 17 medieval manuscripts. The Magna Carta of 1215 is one of only 4 surviving copies. Entry costs 9 pounds for adults (as of 2026). Guided tours last 1 hour.
Lincoln Castle: An 11th-Century Fortress Built by William the Conqueror
Lincoln Castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068. It was one of 2 castles he built to control the north of England. The castle walls form an oval 300 metres around. The wall walk is 800 metres long. It takes 20 minutes to walk the full circuit. The Observatory Tower was built in the 13th century and rises 27 metres. The Victorian prison was built in 1847. It operated until 1878. The prison chapel has 27 box pews designed to prevent prisoners from seeing each other. The castle houses one of the 4 surviving copies of the Magna Carta. It was issued in 1215. Entry costs 12 pounds for adults (as of 2026). Children aged 5 to 17 pay 8 pounds. The castle grounds include a medieval wall walk and a Victorian prison.
Steep Hill: A 30-Degree Slope with 12th-Century Shops
Steep Hill connects the upper and lower parts of Lincoln. The gradient reaches 30 degrees in places. It is one of the steepest streets in England. The street has 14 buildings listed as historically significant. The Jew’s House dates from 1170. It is one of the oldest surviving townhouses in England. The Norman House was built around 1150. The street is paved with granite setts from the 19th century. Independent shops line both sides. The Cheese Society has been selling Lincolnshire cheeses since 1997. A wedge of Lincolnshire Poacher cheese costs 6.50 pounds. The street has 3 pubs. The oldest is the Wig and Mitre, established in 1350. A pint of local ale costs 4.50 pounds (as of 2026). The city council provides a free shuttle bus for those who cannot manage the climb.
The Roman Heritage: Newport Arch and the 350-Year-Old City Walls
Newport Arch dates from 200 AD. It is the only Roman arch in Britain that still carries traffic. The arch is 5 metres high and 4 metres wide. The original Roman city of Lindum Colonia was established in 60 AD. The city walls originally enclosed 40 hectares. Sections of the wall survive in 6 locations. The East Gate was demolished in 1764. The South Gate was removed in 1776. The Roman aqueduct ran 15 kilometres from the River Rase to supply water to the city. Lincoln was the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Secunda. The city’s grid street pattern dates from the Roman layout. The modern Bailgate follows the original Roman main street.
Had you heard about Lincoln before reading this, or does this guide change your next UK itinerary? 🏛️
Explore more United Kingdom guides.
