A beautiful and historical weekend in Lincoln
A picturesque hidden gem, Lincoln is a small, picture-perfect city in the East Midlands.
Cobblestone streets, colourful independent shops, and a stunning cathedral looking out over the city – it’s so perfectly British, you’d imagine everywhere you look to be on a postcard.
Lincoln is brimming with history, beautiful architecture, and a lot of fun and exciting things to do. We’re sure spending some time in this wonderfully charming city will make for an unforgettable weekend.
Ready to get inspired? Let’s see what Lincoln has to offer.
International Bomber Command Centre
Your weekend will start with a step back in time, just outside of the city centre at the International Bomber Command Centre.
It sits southwest of the city centre and is easily accessible if you’re visiting by car. Prefer to be driven? You can also get here by public transport if you fancy a break from driving.
The centre hosts the tallest war memorial in the UK, commemorating thousands of people who lost their lives supporting the Bomber Commands efforts.
Once you step inside, you’ll find exhibitions and memorial spaces. With more than one million men and women who served the Bomber Command, the exhibitions tell their fascinating stories.
Spend, spend, spend on Steep Hill
Now it’s time to venture into the city centre. Gaze admiringly at the colourful shopfronts that welcome you when walking towards Steep Hill.
Awarded the ‘best street in Britain’ in 2012, it’s safe to say that Steep Hill is a must-visit when in Lincoln, and walking up will certainly give your leg muscles a workout!
There are a lot of independent shops and eateries on Steep Hill, perfect for a few hours of window shopping and browsing for gorgeous trinkets.
Fancy a steamy cuppa? Have a little rest and get cosy at one of the tea rooms dotted up and down.
But even if you’re not planning to buy anything, the historic buildings and feel-good atmosphere are worth the experience alone.
Stop off for a pint in Lincoln’s oldest tavern
Lincoln isn’t short on good pubs, but if you’re looking for a special place to enjoy your pint, check out the Adam & Eve Tavern.
Legend says it’s haunted and It’s the oldest pub in Lincoln, dating back to 1701. There’s live music, a beer garden, and they host a pub quiz every Sunday evening.
Go on a spooky adventure!
But the haunted inn at the Adam & Eve Tavern isn’t the only ghostly place in Lincoln.
The Lincoln Ghost Walk leads you along the Gothic architecture with a guide who’ll share traditional stories about the city and the supernatural.
You can join the Lincoln Ghost Walk from 7 pm between Wednesday and Saturday. There’s no need to book – just simply show up in front of the Tourist Information Centre and experience it all for yourself.
And with this walk, you’ll end your first day in Lincoln.
Visit Lincoln’s Cathedral
On the second day, it’s time to see more of its iconic sights up close. And nothing is more iconic than Lincoln’s Cathedral.
During your trip to Lincoln, you would have already seen this stunning piece of architecture standing proudly on the top of the hill.
It’s clearly a remarkable piece of architecture – something unmissable on your weekend trip here.
The interior of the cathedral is just as impressive as its exterior. We recommend taking a few moments to admire The Blessed Virgin Mary statue and see if you can spot the naughty Lincoln Imp creature above.
You’ll also be taken aback by the impressive Father Willis Organ – impressive in stature and still in top-notch condition.
Explore Lincoln’s Castle
Lincoln Castle is another must-visit when you’re in town. This 11th-century castle was built by William the Conqueror and is one of the most iconic sights in the city.
You can enter the castle grounds for free and have a delicious picnic on the grass. There’s a small fee to pay if you’d like to enter the castle or walk the castle walls, but the experience is worth it.
While you can get a ticket for just the city walls, it’s best to buy a combination ticket so you can also enter the castle.
When you’re inside, you can find one of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta and the Victorian prison.
Most parts of the building are still in their original state, and there are some exhibitions to learn more about what life in the prison would’ve been like.
And finally, the castle walls. From the top, you’ll find a glorious view of the Cathedral and Castle Square and it’s simply stunning!
You can also follow an audio tour to learn more about its history and the people who used to live here.
Walk the Roman Trail
And while you're near the cathedral and the castle, you may want to add some other historic spots to your weekend in Lincoln.
The Roman Trail shows you more of Lincoln’s Roman roots, with stops at the Roman Colonnade, The Roman Well, Newport Arch, and the Roman East Gate.
It’s an easy walking route that guides you through some impressive parts of the old centre of Lincoln – a great way to be sure you’re not missing any important sights.
So, that concludes your weekend in Lincoln. A truly hidden gem, bursting with atmospheric streets and idyllic, traditional squares you’d usually only see in a period drama.
Lincoln deserves a spot on your travel wish list. When will you make the trip?