Discover the City of Lincoln
in Lincolnshire, England by Joan Lawrence
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The city of Lincoln is a
two-hour train ride from London by taking the train from Kings Cross
Station to Peterborough and then the train to Lincoln. The main tourist
attractions are located in the old quarter or a short distance away
within walking distance of each other. The traveller can take a taxi to
the many over-night accommodations near the main attractions and then
not get in a car again until ready to leave Lincoln.
The
history of Lincoln, the capital city of Lincolnshire, goes back almost
2,000 years. The Romans established a stronghold in AD48 by building a
fortress high on a hill overlooking Brayford Pool. Many Roman ruins are
visible in and near the old quarter.
In
1068 William the Conqueror ordered a castle to be built on the same
hill as the Roman fortress and then in 1072 he ordered the building of
the cathedral next to it. These two structures remain today. Lincoln
Cathedral was used in the filming of The Da Vinci Code. One of the four
remaining signed copies of the Magna Carta is housed in Lincoln Castle.
Tours are available for both the castle and the cathedral.
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On the
south side of Lincoln Cathedral is the Bishop's Palace built in the 12th
century. Even though the palace is in ruins, the grandeur of the past can
still be seen.
The
streets of Steep Hill and Bailgate offer specialist shops and many
medieval buildings. The Jew's House and Jew's Court are believed to have
been built in the late twelfth century. The Jew's House is currently part
of a restaurant.
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Located on the same hill are
The Collections and Usher Gallery where the tourist can see art
collections, artefacts from Anglo-Saxon, Roman, Viking, and medieval
times. A five-minute walk from the cathedral is The Museum of
Lincolnshire Life. The museum houses social history collections which
includes a working Victorian kitchen, agricultural machinery, and behind
the museum Ellis Mill. The windmill was built in 1798 and still grinds
flour.
Some
of the hotels in the old quarter are interesting historically as well.
The Duke William Hotel dates from the 1680's. Richard II stayed in The
White Hart Hotel in 1387. The White Hart is rumoured to be haunted.
Both of these hotels have been modernized.
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At the
bottom of Steep Hill is the Brayford Pool waterfront. The Brayford Poole
is formed by a widening of the River Witham. The Romans used it for a
port when they transported goods down the River Witham and River Trent.
It is lined with pubs, shops, and restaurants. The Poole is populated
with swans and ducks and is used as a marina for pleasure craft.
Lincoln
is well known for its Christmas Market. With 300 stalls, vendors dressed
in period costume, and Christmas music provided by both carollers and
bands, it gives a Charles Dickins feel to the festivities. After dark the
cathedral and castle are lit up with floodlights and the cathedral has a
huge Christmas tree in front of it.
The
historic market towns of Boston, Spalding, Stamford, and Louth are a
short drive from Lincoln. The Lincolnshire coast with its miles of sandy
beaches is an easy day trip from Lincoln. Also nearby, the Lincolnshire
Wolds is a great place for hiking and cycling.
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About
the author: For more travel information on Lincolnshire visit http://www.lincolnshireguide.net
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