English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
Lincoln
A Norman cathedral and castle above Steep Hill, and the Roman Brayford Pool below
Lincoln, the county town of Lincolnshire, began as an Iron Age settlement beside Brayford Pool on the River Witham and became the Roman colony of Lindum Colonia. The Normans built the cathedral and castle on the hilltop: Lincoln Cathedral, begun in 1072, was for over 200 years the tallest building in the world, and Lincoln Castle holds one of the original 1215 copies of Magna Carta.
The city has two levels. Uphill, the cathedral, castle, Bishops' Palace and Bailgate sit inside the old Roman walls, with the Roman Newport Arch to the north. Steep Hill, with a one-in-seven gradient, runs down past Norman houses to the High Street, the Stonebow and High Bridge, and on to Brayford Pool and the station. About 104,000 people lived in the city district at the 2021 census.
- PopulationAbout 104,000City of Lincoln district, 2021 census; about 128,000 in the urban area
- CathedralBegun in 1072Rebuilt after an earthquake in 1185; Grade I listed
- Magna CartaAn original 1215 copyOn show at Lincoln Castle, according to the castle
- Steep Hill1 in 7A 14% gradient between the lower town and the cathedral
Areas
Where to begin
The Uphill and downhill Lincoln guide has 14 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay.
Sights
Highlights across Lincoln
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Lincoln Cathedral
Cathedral begun in 1072 and rebuilt after an earthquake in 1185; for over 200 years it was the tallest building in the world.
Lincoln Castle
Norman castle on a Roman fortress site, with two mottes, a Victorian prison and an original 1215 Magna Carta; the grounds are free.
Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace
English Heritage ruins of the late-12th-century palace of the bishops of Lincoln, on the hillside just below the cathedral.
Lincoln Museum
Lincolnshire's county museum, formerly The Collection, in a purpose-built building close to the Usher Gallery.
Usher Gallery
Art gallery founded in 1927, with works by painters such as J. M. W. Turner and L. S. Lowry; run as part of Lincoln Museum.
Steep Hill
Street with a one-in-seven gradient climbing to the cathedral, lined with independent shops, tea rooms and pubs.
Jew's House
One of the earliest surviving town houses in England, built around 1170 and associated with Lincoln's medieval Jewish community.
Norman House
Grade I listed Norman town house of about 1170-1180, long known as Aaron the Jew's House; it is now a shop.
Photos
1 / 6Getting there
Arriving in Lincoln
Lincoln Central station is south of the city centre, opposite the bus station. Visit Lincoln lists direct LNER, East Midlands Railway and Northern services to London, Nottingham, Leicester, Sheffield, Doncaster, Peterborough and Gainsborough. Check operators for times and fares.
Train
LNER, East Midlands Railway and Northern run direct services from London, Nottingham, Sheffield, Doncaster, Peterborough and Leicester, according to Visit Lincoln. The High Street and the cathedral are a walk from the station.
Airports
Humberside Airport is 30 miles north-east (about 45 minutes by car) and East Midlands Airport 50 miles south-west. From East Midlands, Visit Lincoln suggests a bus to Nottingham and a train to Lincoln, which takes around an hour.
Bus station
The bus station is opposite the railway station; Visit Lincoln says most local buses are run by Stagecoach.
Travel details are those published by Visit Lincoln, checked on Nov 3, 2026. We do not publish timetables or fares.
On foot
The city is compact but steep: Steep Hill links the High Street with the cathedral and castle, with a one-in-seven gradient. Allow time and take it slowly.
Buses
Local buses leave from the bus station opposite the railway station, most of them run by Stagecoach.
Best time to go
Lincoln through the year
The cathedral, castle and museums open all year. Lincoln Castle lists a Lincoln Castle Illuminated event from 20 November; check the castle and Visit Lincoln for each year's events.
Long days for walking between uphill and downhill, the castle grounds and Brayford Pool, where Wikipedia notes a year-round programme of waterfront events.
Quieter months for the cathedral and museums; check whether the castle's Medieval Wall Walk is open before you go.
FAQ
Good to know before you go
Where can I see Magna Carta in Lincoln?
At Lincoln Castle, which says it is home to an original 1215 Magna Carta. The castle grounds are free; the exhibitions and wall walk are ticketed.
How steep is Steep Hill?
About one in seven (a 14% gradient). It is the most direct walk between the High Street and the cathedral.
Is Lincoln Castle's wall walk open?
When we checked on Nov 3, 2026 the castle said the Medieval Wall Walk was closed for maintenance, with the Victorian Prison and Magna Carta open. Check before you visit.
Nearby places
Guides near Lincoln
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Photo credits
- Lincoln (header): DrMoschi, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Uphill and downhill Lincoln: The original uploader was Daviddariusbijan at English Wikipedia., CC BY 2.0, source
- Lincoln Cathedral: DrMoschi, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lincoln Castle: Dmitrij M, CC BY 3.0, source
- Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace: PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lincoln Museum: John Lord from Edinburgh, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, source
- Usher Gallery: Acediscovery, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Steep Hill: The original uploader was Daviddariusbijan at English Wikipedia., CC BY 2.0, source
- Jew's House: Marek69, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Norman House: Gordon Hatton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Newport Arch: Marek69, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Guildhall and Stonebow: Richard Nevell, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- High Bridge: Oliver Mills, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Brayford Pool: Rawson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Lincoln Arboretum: Rodw, CC0, source
- New Theatre Royal Lincoln: Stephen Craven, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Plan it properly
More guides for Lincoln
- Where to stay in LincolnWhich area suits which traveller, with every stay we have checked.
- Getting around LincolnWith and without a car, from official transport pages.
- When to go to LincolnMonth-by-month weather, daylight and what to pack.
- Rainy-day ideas in LincolnIndoor things to do, by area.
- Events in LincolnFestivals, markets and seasonal events from the organisers.
- Attractions in LincolnSights and museums with entry and access flags where verified.
Keep exploring