Route: Lincoln
Area: North Lincolnshire
Date of walk: 12th March 2022
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly and James
Distance: 5.0 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Sunny intervals
We’d heard recently that the scaffolding had been removed from the West Front of Lincoln Cathedral, leaving it scaffold-free for the first time in 36 years. We decided to plan a walk which would feature the Cathedral in the itinerary, along with other points of interest in the city
The main shopping and tourist area stretches from St Marks Shopping centre in the south up to the Cathedral Quarter – known locally as ‘Uphill’. Steep Hill connects downhill and uphill Lincoln and we would use this for the return part of a circular walk
We parked in the central car park near the bus and railway station ‘downhill’ (the city is well served by public transport, so it’s possible to leave the car at home). We passed by the church of St Mary le Wigford, dating back to the 11th century, and then made our way to Brayford Pool, a lake formed by the widening of the River Witham. The waterfront surrounding the pool is home to a modern university. We continued uphill, mostly along residential streets, passing through Liquorice Park and making a short diversion to see Ellis Mill at the edge of the Cathedral Quarter
We then passed under Newport Arch, a 3rd century Roman Gate, and walked to nearby Lincoln Castle, where we paid for tickets for the Medieval Wall Walk. This was one of the highlights of the day, with wonderful views over the cathedral and the surrounding countryside. After descending from the castle wall we visited the focal point of today’s walk – the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral. Various tours are available here, and it’s worth setting aside plenty of time to enjoy at least one of these. After admiring the restored exterior and visiting the interior we walked down Steep Hill and High Street back to the start
If time is short, I’d recommend omitting the western section of the loop which we walked. Although it has a few points of interest they don’t compare with what’s on offer ‘uphill’. Instead, just head straight up High Street and Steep Hill to the Cathedral Quarter and retrace your steps. There’s enough interest at the Castle and Cathedral to occupy a full day
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
We pass by the Church of St Mary le Wigford at the start of the walk
Lincoln Cathedral as we walk beside Brayford Pool. a lake formed by widening the River Witham
Brayford Island, which is artifically formed. It is also known as Swan Island and is a site for breeding swans
Brayford Pool was once used as a port by the Romans who connected it to the River Trent by digging the Foss Dyke
Looking back along Brayford Pool as we start the climb up to the Cathedral Quarter
We pass through Liquorice Park
Liquorice Park viewing point
Streets of Lincoln as we walk through a residential area
A short detour to see Ellis Windmill, the last of nine windmills that once stood on the Lincoln hill top and the last working mill in Lincoln, built in 1798
At the top of the hill now, we pass through Newport Arch, a 3rd century Roman arch and believed to be the oldest arch in the UK still used by traffic
We enter Lincoln Castle and buy our tickets for the Medieval Wall Walk. Up to this point I'd award the walk 2-3 stars, but it becomes a 5 star walk from here onwards
Lincoln Crown Court, still in use as a court, is within the grounds
The start of the Medieval Wall Walk, which is 1/3 mile long and has wonderful views all the way round
The restored West Front of Lincoln Cathedral above the rooftops
The Wall Walk is followed anti-clockwise
Views of Lincoln Cathedral from the ramparts...
Ellis Windmill mid left and beyond it a view over many miles of Lincolnshire countryside
We turn a corner to pass around the back of the Court House...
The Victorian Prison in the foreground and the Observatory Tower to its right...
Lucy Tower ahead, which stands on the site of the first castle built by the Normans
The walls enclose an old burial ground. The graves of prisoners who had been hanged or died of natural causes still lie buried inside the Tower
Looking back to Lucy Tower
A final view of the Cathedral before we descend to ground floor level and leave the Castle
We walk across Castle Square...
We pass under the Exchequergate Arch, which was included in the recently completed restoration works to the Cathedral
The West Front of Lincoln Cathedral in all its glory...
The Gallery of Kings, a 14th century carving of 11 kings inserted within the central portico
The 12th century Romanesque Frieze which, until completion of the restoration of the West Front, had been covered up for the last 40 years in order to preserve it
We walk round to the entrance and enter the Cathedral via the Cloisters. Unfortuately the Nave was closed today but the admission fee was halved to reflect this
Stained glass window in the Chapter House
The Great East Window
We leave the Cathedral, glancing up again to admire its West Front
It's all downhill from here as we follow Steep Hill and High Street back to the start
The streets are thronging - it's Saturday afternoon and the sun is shining
A final look back to the Cathedral at the end of a wonderful visit
