6 August 2010 Lincoln - the City in England

Lyn on top of Lincoln Castle with Lincoln Cathedral in the background


Lincoln Cathedral


Inside Lincoln Cathedral

Spot the Lincoln Imp


Here it is


Magna Carta - hands up who knew it was stored at the Castle in Lincoln. No this isn't it. Photos were not allowed in the room where it is stored in a glass case


Iron railings taken for the war effort


View of backyards from the parapet of the Castle - no private BBQ's for these people



Today we went into Lincoln to do our washing as we had no underwear left! Yes, we have to do mundane things when we are on holiday. It took quite a long time as we also had to use the dryers because we had nowhere to hang it out and rain was expected.

After getting the washing done we went to have a look at the Lincoln Castle and Lincoln Cathedral.

First stop was the castle and at £3.30 for seniors, we thought the entry price was OK.

The Castle was constructed during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress. It remained in use as a prison and law court into modern times, and is one of the better preserved castles in England.

Behind the walls of the castle is a courthouse which is still being used so we weren’t allowed in. So much for transparent justice.

We could walk up stairs (Lyn loved that) and get onto the battlements which provided a great view of the surrounding countryside. Still, I suppose that is the point so you can see the enemy coming.

They are currently digging up the lawns to excavate rock which has been there since ancient times so the archaeologist can do their research.

After a visit to the gift shop, we headed of to Lincoln Cathedral which is a very imposing building and only just down the road. We had a great view of it from Lincoln Castle through the parapets.

Lincoln Cathedral (in full The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, or sometimes St. Mary's Cathedral) is a historic Anglican cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years (1300–1549). The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt. It is highly regarded by architectural scholars. And it only cost us £4.75 each to get in!

The cathedral is the 3rd largest in Britain (in floor space) after St Paul's and York Minster, being 484 feet (148 m) by 271 feet (83 m). It is Lincolnshire's largest building and until 1549 the spire was reputedly the tallest medieval tower in Europe, though the exact height has been a matter of debate. Accompanying the cathedral's large bell, Great Tom of Lincoln, is a quarter-hour striking clock. The clock was installed in the early 19th century.

There are thirteen bells in the south-west tower, two in the north west tower, and five in the central tower (including Great Tom).

We found it a staggeringly beautiful building and it contains some of the worlds finest examples of Early Gothic architecture. Mick got an audio guide and headed off to get the history and to search out the very hard to find Lincoln Imp. It took him half an hour to find it but find it he did, hidden amongst the sculptured figures.

The leadlight windows were spectacular as some had recently been renovated. Further renovations continue.

Lincoln Cathedral has a Lectern in the form of an large brass eagle exactly the same as the one in Westminster Abbey in London. Mick reckoned there must have been a 2 for one deal available at the time at the Brass Lectern shop!

We spent quite a while inside the Cathedral as it was a marvel to behold.

Then out the door.. almost made it but hold on, Lyn's seen a gift shop where she manages to spend another fortune.

Then home for dinner.

Last night we went for dinner at The Pride of Lincoln a pub near the Hotel here and they overcharged Lyn so Mick went to confront the guy behind the bar who said he was just about to come over and repay us, yeh right! No tip for them and no further business.

So tonight we went to the opposition, Frankie and Benny's just next door. I had Scampi and Lyn had roast beef and very nice it was too. So they got their £5 tip.