LINCOLN
Historic Lincoln town lies
on the River Witham with its "Glory Hole" and half timbered buildings.
In the High Street is an impressive 500 year old Tudor Gateway called
The Stonebow. Through the Gateway lies an endless array of modern
shops intermingled with buildings steeped in history.The Steep Hill
to the famous Lincoln Cathedral and Castle presents
a tough climb to even the fit. Up and down the cobbled street lies
some of the country's most beautiful  buildings; halfway there remains a barrier
to stop a repeat of a wager accepted by a Colonel Sibthorpe who drove
down the hill in a coach and four - and survived to tell the tale.
The 12th Century house of Aaron the Jew situated at the corner of
Steep Hill is said to be the oldest inhabited dwelling in England,
taking its name from the original owner, a rich merchant. Further
down the hill is the better known Jew's House, of the same date.At
the top of the hill stands Lincoln Cathedral. The original Norman
cathedral was begun in 1072 and parts of this building remain at the
west end of the present church. The decagonal chapter house, on the
north side, is the earliest Gothic polgonal chapter house in England.
In the central tower hangs Great Tom of Lincoln - a 5 ton bell.At
Brayford Pool modern boats are moored ready to cruise the oldest canal
in the country, the eleven mile Fosdyke Navigation, dug some two thousand
years ago to link the River Witham with the Trent.In 1068 William
the Conqueror began building Lincoln Castle on a Roman site; the surrounding
ditches and  banks enclosed nearly 14 acres of land. Today
the castle's remains include a Norman gateway, part of a barbican
and an early 19th century inner gateway. The castle stages various
events and offers guided tours.The Usher Art Gallery holds a collection
of miniatures and porcelain, along with a collection of water colours,
drawings and oil paintings. Manuscripts of Alfred Lord Tennyson are
also on view.A Grade 2 listed former barracks in Burton Road, houses
the Museum of Lincolnshire Life reflecting many aspects of the community,
from a Victorian schoolroom to a set of steam engines! The earliest
surviving tank built by William Foster & Co Ltd of Lincoln in
1917 is exhibited here, and along with interactive displays and touch
screen computers, the museum offers a fascinating insight of years
gone by and local history. The Lincolnshire
Road Transport Museum displays vehicles from the early 1920's,
in working order mostly from the Lincolnshire area.Next door to the
Museum of Lincolnshire Life is the 18th century Ellis Windmill. The
last working mill in Lincoln is run by a band of volunteer millers
who not only produce the flour but also sell it.Nearby towns to visit:
Boston, Skegness, Louth, Peterborough, Spalding,
Holbeach, Grimsby,
Grantham |
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