A Day in Lincoln

Lincoln is one of the best destinations for a city break in the UK. Brimming with history, this beautiful city has something for everyone with its modern architecture, buzzing bars, cafés and cultural hubs as well as ancient landmarks, quaint streets and artisan shops. Lincoln has drawn hoards of visitors for well over a thousand years and was once occupied by the Romans.

Here is a snap-shot of the places to see and things to do that will help you make the most of your time in the beautiful city of Lincoln.

Take a wander up, (or down), the famous cobbled Steep Hill and you’ll experience an amazingly different choice of boutique shops along with fine art, collectables, gorgeous little eateries - and a full body workout while you’re at it - because they don’t call it Steep Hill for nothing!

Start your day off with a hearty breakfast at Stokes Tea & Coffee at the High Bridge Cafe . This Tudor style iconic building over the river Witham on the High Street, dates back as far as 1160. It has seen its fair share of drama over the years including plagues, fires and even WWII bombings. The Stokes family has been running the High Bridge café since 1937 and is famous for serving the best breakfast, lunches and afternoon teas, all made using the best local produce. Stokes has an outstanding choice of fine teas as well as the best coffee on the menu and it is all fresh from their own roastery which is also located in Lincoln.

Look around the city center and you may be tempted to purchase more than you planned to 😉

Prepare to tackle a walk on the Steep Hill. Do not forget to take a bottle of water with you because that Hill has an impressive incline.

Before going anywhere, step into the Lincoln’s Tourist information offices. These friendly lot have all the information you could need to help tailor your plans perfectly to get the most from your visit.

Now you can spare some time looking around the shops on the Bailgate before enjoying a walk through the Lincoln castle grounds and take in the beautiful views of the city from the height of the Castle walls.

Hungry? Step inside The Lawn cafe  on Union Road, (at the back of the Castle), and visit Stokes Tea & Coffee for lunch. This 200-year-old building was once a lunatic asylum and today it is home to Stokes’ roastery, main offices as well as its vibrant café. Here you will find a life-size killer whale made from recycled coffee machines, a vibrant buzz and a delicious menu. You can even watch coffee being roasted while you enjoy your meal or drink, because Stokes has created a special viewing room for guests at the Lawn café too so that they can see into the roastery 😋

After Lunch, have a walk around the lush, green grounds of The Lawn building while you contemplate making your way up to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. It has a free entry and provides a great opportunity to learn about the people of Lincolnshire. From old-fashioned shop displays to military tanks, you will find a diverse collection of things to see here.

Take on the challenge to find the infamous Lincoln Imp in the majestic Lincoln Cathedral. If you are lucky to find it, you’ll see there’s much to discover in this breathtaking and unique building.

Here’s an amazing poem about the Imp…

The Lincoln Imp’s Birthday, by Kirsten Irving

In November the cathedral angel says, “Fine. A day then,”
and transforms me to clamber stiffly from my arch. Ahhh!
Wagging my dragon-ears, as the last grains of limestone
gloop to muscle, I slide to the flagstones, head for the bus.

The seals haul ashore at Donna Nook, doggish,
speckled, expecting, rowing their bodies up the beach. This year
on last, there are more bulls, more mothers, more babies,
more cars in the overflow, barking, fighting, life.

As long as seals have been, they have come. I gawk with the children
at a black-eyed pup. A lapwing wolf-whistles, flipped in the gust,
and pulls up sharp for photographers. The drizzle starts.
A kestrel dangles from a cloud across the dunes.

A volunteer flings a yellow body into the scoop of a digger. Skinny,
too skinny to survive the North Sea. Better that fate than mine!

Turned to stone by some jobsworth seraph for low-level devilry. Really!
I scut my hooves, watch terns take turns at the afterbirth.

The people head for the dry as the light goes, and the seadogs lie
like sarcophagi. There’s nothing needs breaking,
no nuns to goose, no urns to overturn. I pat down the sun.
Then the angel taps my shoulder, and it’s time.

Before you leave - check out the amazing Usher Gallery - a must for all art lovers.

There are many restaurants around the Bailgate to choose from. Just take a walk and I guarantee you will be spoilt for choice. If you are up for a longer walk, why not go down to the Brayford. The heart of socializing and good food by the water.

Make sure you eat enough especially if you decide to join the regular ghost tour! The Tour starts at 7pm (they usually operate from Wednesdays to Saturdays). The group meets near the Lincoln Tourist Information Office, just opposite the Magna Carta pub. The ghost walk lasts around 70 minutes and is suitable for all ages.