Our arrival in Lincoln was rather fraught, after a road closure in the centre of town disrupted our route to the Castle Hotel up in the Cathedral Quarter. Fortunately the SatNav (AKA Florence II ) got us out of difficulty and we arrived in plenty of time to have a stroll around the neighbourhood and choose a restaurant for the evening.
From directly outside the hotel, where we had booked a ground floor room in the former stables block, we had a glimpse of both the cathedral and the castle.
And a five minute stroll took us to Exchequer Gate (header image) and Castle Hill the medieval space which forms the setting across which the Cathedral and Castle face each other, dating from 1072 and 1068 respectively.
There is something I find so appealing about towns and cities where the streets have names such as Bailgate, Eastgate, Westgate, Pottergate, Michaelgate; you just know you are in a place steeped in history.
High up above the town centre, this area (uphill Lincoln) is full of old houses, interesting independent speciality shops, pubs, restaurants, cobbled streets and quirky buildings. An area known for its village atmosphere. On this beautifully sunny September day, dressed with bunting, it was perfect.
Newport arch is a †3C Roman north gateway, which was part re-built in the Medieval period; originally the North Gate of the Roman walled city, now the only surviving Roman gateway in Britain still used by traffic. Bailgate is the most historic part of Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter.
We ventured a little way down Steep Hill (aptly named), but had no desire to reach the bottom, nor to have to walk back up. We didn’t stroll far. Just enough to take in the ambience of the place and to choose where we would eat that night. Brown’s pie shop. And one of the best steak and ale pies I have ever eaten, in a tiny café at the top of Steep Hill where the waitress had to go up and down steep stairs to the kitchen.
Instead we turned around and had a look at the cathedral, now resplendent in the golden evening sunlight.
And took a stroll around the Minster Yard before returning to the hotel for a G&T then heading off to dinner.
IF YOU ENJOY A WALK, LONG OR SHORT, THEN HAVE A LOOK AT JO’S SITE WHERE YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN IN WITH HER MONDAY WALKS.
Love this! We were regular visitors to Lincoln when we lived in Nottinghamshire, though haven’t been for decades now. Our lunch stop was always the Wig and Mitre so I’m delighted to see it still there. We only once stayed overnight to go to the Mystery Plays staged outside the cathedral. Despite being summer, it was so cold out there that John had to fetch me an emergency blanket from the Red Cross to stop me shaking!
My aunt had a pub there, but I have no idea which one, when I was small, but I have no recollection of ever seeing the city itself. We were very lucky with the weather on this trip, the warmest September for years.
These are marvelous, Jude. I was just saying to Bill Jones jr, https://firewingphotography.com/2017/02/13/littlehampton-uk-east-west-beaches/
that I have seen more of my Old Country through the eyes(lens) of photo bloggers than I ever saw while I lived there.
In fact, the most up to date photos of Chester (where I used to live) were from Tish!
Lovely post.
Perhaps it is better seen this way Ark, we bloggers only ever post the best images – no howling winds and horizontal rain, dirty streets, dull skies!!
*Sigh* True. And there is always the danger of getting mugged down Memory Lane.
🙂
Indeed. The sun ALWAYS shone during the summer 🙂
Looks like a picture-perfect day for exploring (and indulging in a G&T).
Nothing like that first G&T after a day’s driving 🙂
And the second? 😉
Beautiful!
Thanks Dawn, it is an interesting part of the city.
I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Lincoln – stunning shots capturing the soul of the town Jude 🙂
Wait until you see the cathedral and grounds. There is a lot more to Lincoln city, but we didn’t venture ‘downhill’.
On my Bucket List already – thank you for the introduction 🙂
When my friend lived in the city centre, we walked up and down that hill more times than I care to remember. Fortunately, the walk home uphill was usually after more than a few wines, so never seemed so bad.
Some time later, we went with a group of people to see an open air show in the Castle grounds. It was a great place for the event, but unfortunately it was an Abba tribute band!
Best wishes, Pete. x
Living there would be like living in the past. I enjoyed your walk Jude.
Reminded me very much of Ludlow where I lived for 5 years. A village atmosphere with lots of lovely independent shops.
What interesting & beautiful buildings Jude. Lincoln looks like a lovely place to hang your hat for a few days.
We only stayed two nights, so we could have a complete day there – morning at the castle and afternoon at the cathedral. Worked out very well.
Full of charm, aren’t they, our historic towns? York, Chester and Durham all rolled into one! I don’t know Lincoln though I did spend a day there once back in the mists of time. 🙂 I think it might have been an anniversary but all I can remember is the enormous cathedral, so thanks for sharing, Jude. I love the old names too.
Lots to come on the cathedral. I’m rather sorry I missed out York on the trip, but having been there oodles of times, it wasn’t on my list. I should write about it though at some stage. And Canterbury.
I had a huge fallout with a friend in Canterbury and it rather ruined what I saw of it. 😦
Oh, no! Well I have some lovely photos I think, so I shall have to take you there. I loved the cathedral.
Thanks for taking me on that walk around Lincoln, especially as I’ve never been there.
The uphill area is a true delight Pit.