Lincoln is one of England’s most underrated cathedral cities. Its hilltop quarter holds a magnificent Gothic cathedral, a Norman castle with an original Magna Carta and streets of medieval and Georgian buildings, while the lower town gathers around a lively waterfront. The two halves are joined by the aptly named Steep Hill. Lincoln is smaller and quieter than York, and two days is the right length for a relaxed visit. For accommodation and more ideas, see our Lincoln visitor guide.
Day one in Lincoln: the Cathedral, the Castle and the Bailgate
Morning: Lincoln Cathedral. Start uphill, in the Cathedral Quarter. Lincoln Cathedral crowns the ridge and can be seen for miles across the flat Lincolnshire countryside. Its central tower once carried a spire that is said to have made it the tallest building in the world until the spire fell in 1548. Inside, look for the two great rose windows, known as the Dean’s Eye and the Bishop’s Eye, the richly carved Angel Choir, and the Lincoln Imp, a small stone grotesque high on a pillar that has become the city’s emblem. Entry is ticketed for sightseeing; guided floor tours and, on selected days, roof and tower tours are offered, so check the Cathedral’s website for what is running. Beside the Cathedral, the ruins of the Medieval Bishops’ Palace are in the care of English Heritage — confirm opening days before you go.
Afternoon: Lincoln Castle. The castle faces the Cathedral across Castle Hill. Built on the orders of William the Conqueror in 1068, it has three main things to see: the Magna Carta vault, the Victorian Prison and the Medieval Wall Walk. The vault displays one of only four surviving originals of the 1215 Magna Carta, alongside the Charter of the Forest. The prison is known for its chapel, built with separate stalls so inmates could not see one another. The wall walk gives superb views of the Cathedral and the city. At the time of writing the castle reports that the wall walk is only partly open during repairs and that its lift is out of service, so check the castle’s website for the current position. The castle grounds are usually free to enter, with tickets needed for the attractions.
Late afternoon: the Bailgate. North of Castle Hill, the Bailgate is a street of independent shops, tea rooms and pubs. At its far end stands Newport Arch, a third-century Roman gateway that traffic still passes through — a reminder that Lincoln began as the Roman town of Lindum Colonia.
Day two in Lincoln: Steep Hill, Brayford Pool and Bomber Command
Morning: down Steep Hill. Steep Hill lives up to its name: a cobbled lane that drops sharply from Castle Hill to the lower town, lined with small shops, galleries and cafes. Walking down is the easy direction. Near the bottom are the Jew’s House and Norman House, twelfth-century stone houses that are among the oldest domestic buildings still standing in England. Just off the route, the Usher Gallery shows fine and decorative art and is free to enter; the neighbouring Lincoln Museum is currently closed for redevelopment, so check which parts of the site are open.
Carry on down the High Street to High Bridge, a medieval bridge over the River Witham that still carries a row of timber-framed shops, and then to Brayford Pool. This natural lake was a Roman inland port and is now a marina edged with restaurants, bars and the University of Lincoln campus. It is a good place for lunch, and boat trips operate from here in season.
Afternoon: International Bomber Command Centre. Lincolnshire was known as Bomber County in the Second World War because of its many RAF airfields. The International Bomber Command Centre, which opened in 2018 on Canwick Hill just south of the city, tells that story through an exhibition, a memorial spire and walls of names recording those who died serving with Bomber Command. The site looks directly across the valley to the Cathedral, which returning crews used as a landmark. It is a short drive, taxi or bus ride from the centre; check opening days and admission details on the centre’s website.
If you would rather stay in town, the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, in a Victorian barracks north of the castle, covers the county’s social and farming history, and the Lincoln Arboretum is a restored Victorian park east of the Cathedral.
Where to eat and drink in Lincoln
The uphill quarter — the Bailgate, Castle Hill and Steep Hill — has the most characterful tea rooms, pubs and restaurants, many in very old buildings. Downhill, Brayford Pool has the largest concentration of waterside places, including the familiar chains, and the High Street and the Cornhill area fill the gap between. Lincolnshire has a distinctive larder: herby Lincolnshire sausages, plum bread (a fruit loaf traditionally eaten with cheese), Lincolnshire Poacher cheese and stuffed chine all appear on local menus and in delicatessens. Book ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings uphill, where dining rooms are small.
Getting to Lincoln and getting around
LNER runs a limited number of direct trains between London King’s Cross and Lincoln, taking a little under two hours; at other times, change at Newark Northgate. There are also regular services from Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds. By road, Lincoln is on the A46, about 17 miles from the A1 at Newark.
The station is downhill, close to the High Street and Brayford Pool. It is roughly a twenty-minute walk up to the Cathedral, the last part of it steep and cobbled. If you would rather not climb, take a taxi or a local bus to the Cathedral Quarter and walk down instead. Wear shoes with grip, especially in wet weather.
When to visit Lincoln
Spring to early autumn is the best time for the wall walk, the waterfront and boat trips. The city is busy around the Lincolnshire Show in June and at university graduation times. Lincoln’s large traditional Christmas market, held for decades in the castle and cathedral area, was discontinued after 2022 and has been replaced by a programme of smaller seasonal events through the year. The Cathedral and Castle still stage Christmas services and festive events, so check their listings for this year’s plans.
What’s on in Lincoln
See what’s on in Lincoln for dated events, or browse the full UK events calendar. For festive ideas elsewhere, read our UK Christmas markets 2026 guide.
Plan your trip
- Check before you go: the castle’s wall walk status, Cathedral tour days, and opening at the Bishops’ Palace and the Usher Gallery.
- Prices: the Cathedral, Castle and Bomber Command Centre charge admission — confirm current prices and any joint tickets on their official sites.
- With a third day: head east to the beaches of the Lincolnshire coast, or west into Nottinghamshire.
- More cathedral cities: try two days in York or two days in Canterbury, or pick somewhere quieter from our hidden UK destinations.
- Where to stay: see the Lincoln destination page for accommodation and local information.