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Lincoln Castle Square Tourist Information Centre is at 9 Castle Hill, Lincoln.[http://www.visitlincolnshire.com/useful-info/tourist-information-centres/lincoln-castle-square]
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By road
Lincoln sits on the A46 between [wiki=61de5457b5695c54f82ab01cc0fb85af]Newark[/wiki], [wiki=c43ab7162cc01861a69e73705e83df76]Nottinghamshire[/wiki], and [wiki=541c25751bdcf456917a9c304ecf9ced]Grimsby[/wiki], [wiki=a1fc7241c14b2b8c66480176d56175fc]Lincolnshire[/wiki], and the A15, between [wiki=f3128071d6d92c6b28a5d4cb4f8b4630]Peterborough[/wiki] and [wiki=63b0fc998685327831f96bbe7b07b7e2]Hull[/wiki]. Lincoln is surrounded by minor roads and Lincolnshire itself has no motorways. The central area of Lincoln consists of narrow one-way roads and pedestrianised areas so driving is not recommended. The St. Marks shopping centre has ample parking, and there is a multi-storey car park in the centre of town, near the University and Brayford Pool.
A seasonal Christmas Market Park and Ride service is available and the easiest way to get to the Market.National Park and Ride Directory [http://www.parkandride.net/lincoln/lincoln_frameset.shtml]
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By rail
Lincoln is served by trains from [wiki=61de5457b5695c54f82ab01cc0fb85af]Newark[/wiki] and [wiki=541c25751bdcf456917a9c304ecf9ced]Grimsby[/wiki]. Newark is on the East Coast Main Line with fast links to [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki]. Generally, rail journeys are fairly punctual, if a bit uncomfortable. Certain services from [wiki=829482baf763ef63c78c36889615b3b1]Nottingham[/wiki] to Lincoln may be only a single carriage and may be very crowded.
There is a direct service from [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki] to Lincoln once per day.
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By air
Lincoln is located close to three airports.
*Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield in [wiki=ec2e4d23df70dcae459e6dc4cdf1c965]Yorkshire[/wiki] - A direct train from [wiki=df68454bf96104219be642f4c5cb5d0f]Doncaster[/wiki] to Lincoln is available.
*Humberside Airport, North Lincolnshire - The airport is located near Barnetby village with a train station running direct trains to Lincoln Central Station
*East Midlands Airport in [wiki=a4cb7de0ec391dceff1fe3179b8ee90f]Castle Donington[/wiki], [wiki=821549cf5b147898342cf79b0d9bb966]Leicestershire[/wiki]
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The easiest way to get around central Lincoln is on foot. The city is small and compact with services and attractions within a few minutes walk of each other. One can walk from the easternmost end of Lincoln to the western end at a very leisurely pace in around one hour.
Cars can be hired from two locations - Enterprise, located on the Outer Circle Road, and Hertz, found behind the Holiday Inn hotel (on Brayford Wharf). However, driving around the city itself is in-advised. Lincoln employs a complex one-way system that will quickly confuse tourists (and even some locals).
The main High Street is only a minute's walk away from the railway and bus stations.
Public transport is as expected in a reasonable sized city. There are regular bus services; however, these are generally for journeys from the south of Lincoln and North Hykeham to the North of Lincoln rather than for short hops within the centre.
Minicabs are widely available. Prices are charged on a zone system and all of the firms are regulated by Lincoln City Council; you are well advised to avoid unlicensed companies - soliciting passengers for these cabs is illegal, and in the event of an accident they often have no insurance.
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Lincoln Cathedral [url=http://www.lincolncathedral.com/].]Summer (approx Jul-Aug) M-F 7.15AM-8PM, Sa-Su 7.15AM-6PM, Winter M-Sa 7.15AM-6PM, Su 7.15AM-5PM. One of the finest and best situated Gothic buildings in Europe, now also famous as the location used to double as Westminster Abbey in The Da Vinci Code movie. For over 200 years it was the tallest building in the world, before its wooden spire collapsed following a storm in 1549. The roof tours are recommended. Architecturally, the cathedral has some of the earliest flying buttresses, and a gargoyle named the Lincoln Imp, with which several legends are associated. Adult £5.
*Lincoln Castle, Castle Hill, [url=http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?sectiontype=listmixed&catid=7014[/url].]May-Aug 10AM-6PM, Apr & Sep 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar 10AM-4PM. Closed 24-26 Dec, New Year's Eve and Day. Tours available at certain times throughout the day. First established in the Norman period, when the city of Lincoln ranked 3rd in the realm for prosperity and importance. Building started by William the Conquerer in 1068 on a site occupied since Roman times. Contains an original copy of The Magna Carta. It is home to families of ducks during the breeding season, despite having no lake or pond. Also a working Crown Court and a Victorian Prison museum. Has fabulous views from the walls and observatory tower over the city and beyond. Visitors can stand on the tower where the city's hangings took place, or descend by a ladder into the dungeon where prisoners waited, and see the manacles still on the walls. Gruesome. £4.10, concessions available.
*Steep Hill is the medieval lane which connects the modern town centre with the cathedral quarter atop the hill. This cobbled street is a delight of old buildings, many of which contain the more interesting shops in the city, and including the Jew's House, a twelfth-century building associated with Lincoln's thriving Jewish community in medieval times. The street's name is accurate and after a handrail-assisted ascent you reach the Magna Carta pub which stands between the castle and the cathedral. Continue for a few yards if you can be tempted by an interesting ice-cream parlour - their downstairs cafe has you sitting by a tenth-century arch under a vaulted stone ceiling.
* The Lawn, a former psychiatric hospital, is now a visitor attraction which (as well as housing a conference centre) will be mainly of interest for the Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory, a free-to-enter hothouse with exhibits that Banks brought back from his travels with Captain Cook.
* Roman remains are scattered around the cathedral quarter, for example behind the cathedral are the excavated remains of the Roman east gate, and on the north side of the castle at the junction of Westgate and Bailgate are the excavated remains of a Roman well amid the walls. Walking along Bailgate, notice the circles of old stones in the modern road surface - these are the original foundations of Roman pillars which lined this route, Ermine Street which stretches from London to York.
* Ellis Mill, Mill Rd, [url=http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?sectiontype=listmixed&catid=10154[/url].]Sa-Su, Apr-Sep, 2-5PM; Su, 2PM-dusk, Oct-Apr. A preserved windmill built in 1798, the last remaining example of the nine mills along the Lincoln Edge which milled flour for the city. It is now surrounded by houses, but still operates on a volunteer basis and visitors are welcomed and given tours. Free.
* The Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Rd (5 minutes walk from the West gate of Lincoln Castle and Cathedral), [http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?sectiontype=listmixed&catid=7838[/url]. Every day Apr-Sep and M-Sa Oct-Mar, 10AM-4PM. A rural history museum situated in a Victorian military barracks building. Free.
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Castle Visit the castle, walk along the Castle walls, see the Magna Carta and visit the Victorian Prison. Entry into the Castle is free, but pay to do anything else.
*Lincoln Boat Trips, [url=http://www.lincolnboattrips.com/pages/default.shtml].]Every day from Easter to end of Sep. Sailing times 1100, 1215, 1330, 1445, 1545. Canal trips for 50-60 minutes on the River Witham and Fossdyke Navigation, a Roman-built canal which links the Witham with the River Trent. The vessel Brayford Belle operates from Brayford Pool opposite the Odeon cinema. Adults £6. Alternatively, you may hire a small, slow motor boat for £20 an hour.
*Cathedral City Cruises also offers boat trips from near the same location.
*Lincoln Christmas Market. Styled on German Christmas Markets, the event takes place around the first weekend in December and lasts about 4 days. Market stalls occupy all the roads around the castle and cathedral areas. There are also funfair rides. A real Christmas extravaganza and definitely worth a visit, but can be very busy. Arrive early if travelling by car.
*Theatre Royal Lincoln is just off the high street, on Clasketgate.
*A green badge led walking tour of the Cathedral Quarter historic area taking in the Roman remains and the uphill area. Tours may be booked (www.lincolnguidedtours.co.uk) or 11am in the season outside the Visitor Information Centre (times vary). We will hop aboard your coach and give an entertaining tour. edit
*Positioned in the middle of the Temple gardens - has a permenant art collection, and also a rotating exhibition of more modern exhibitors
*Natural and historical permenant display pertaining to the area. Rotating exhibitions on other subjects along with a talks as part of a free lecture series (may need to book in advance).
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There are plenty of standard chain shops on the high street, just about everything one could want. These range from bigger chains such as HMV, to smaller chains such as Lush cosmetics, and even more local shops. Various streets run off the high street, containing more shops. There is also the Waterside shopping centre on the high street. If you venture further up to Steep Hill and the Bailgate area beyond, you will find more local and traditional shops, such as sweet shops and knick knack shops. All of the major banks are also in the town centre.
*A green badge led walking tour of the Cathedral Quarter historic area taking in the Roman remains and the uphill area. Tours may be booked (www.lincolnguidedtours.co.uk) or 11am in the season outside the Visitor Information Centre (times vary). We will hop aboard your coach and give an entertaining tour.
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A highly individual established cafe & cheese shop specialising in cheesy dishes, such as double baked souffles and baked Camembert. Also has non-cheese options. Uses many local producers. The food is freshly cooked and presented to a high standard. Light and airy, bistro style, with pretty slick service. Can get busy, as it seats 24, but well worth waiting for a table. Food is served until 4PM. Not suitable for under 10s. Licensed.
*Chinese restaurants include Yo Yo's located opposite Debenhams and The Laughing Budda located in the town centre. For an Italian experience, try Pomodoro located just off the high street (near Subway). Excellent Tapas restaurants can be found in the Bail area (top end of town near the Cathedral) or down the High Street.
*Chimichanga's, Brayford Waterfront. Chimichanga's specialises in Mexican style food.
*Nando's, Brayford Waterfront. A chain restaurant specialising in Portuguese peri-peri chicken dishes, all of which are offered in a variety of spice strengths (lemon & herb, mango & lime, medium, hot, extra hot). Its service is very good and very prompt. Beware of the Extra hot serving! Prices are fairly cheap considering the size of portions you receive. There is no service charge and babies and children are very welcome.
*The Nosey Parker, Tritton Road (at the junction with Dixon Street). This is a pub that serves a pub lunch. Portions are fairly generous and you can expect to pay about £5-£10 for a meal although there are a number of special offers where you can receive 2 meals for £10. Their steak is fantastic and quite generous. Be prepared for a very long wait for food, though.
*Pizza Express, High Street (at the corner with Grantham Street, in the upper half of the pedestrianised High Street). Don't let the name fool you! It doesn't serve pizza fast. It serves, what some would say, the best pizza in all of Lincoln, but expect to pay somewhat higher prices!
*Pyewipe Inn - Out along the canal. Good food.
Most bars also have food menus.
*Booking essential. Use of mobile phones not permitted. Children under 12 not permitted in the evening.
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The Vine Inn, Newland Street West. A traditional local pub in the heart of the West End used by both local and students.
*The Victoria, near the castle within Lincoln hosts some of the finest ales in the city and is well worth a visit.... throw back to what a real pub should be with real people. Now having a mixture and varied clientèle but with excellent service and atmosphere, a superb place to go.
*The Tower (part of a hotel) Great place to meet with friends up hill, more trendy that other bars in the area and serves mainly the aspirational and upcoming crowd.
There are plenty of bars in Lincoln, most of which are on the high street or the waterfront. The main nightclub in Lincoln is the Engine Shed which was finished in September 2006. It is the biggest music venue in the area, and so far has played host to bands such as The Zutons, Stereophonics, Kasabian & Feeder. It is open to both students and locals, although it is students only on Wednesday and Saturday.
Other clubs are:
* Ritzy's - Featuring three floors playing different music. Very expensive on weekends. Student only night on Wednesday.
* Sugarcubes - The only rock club in Lincoln (after the closure of Martha's and Po Na Na), cheap drinks and equally cheap decor.
* Scy - Good variety of music, with rock and R'n'B nights. Two floors, although very small and not particularly cheap.
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Country house hotel situated in parkland with its own lake
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*Holiday Inn Express Lincoln City Centre is a brand new hotel which opened in December 2008, featuring 118 bedrooms, bar, evening meals (midweek) and a coffee lounge with free WiFi.
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*Ibis Lincoln hotel is a budget hotel south of Lincoln city centre. The Ibis Lincoln hotel is 15 minutes by car from Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle, and 10 km from central Lincoln
*Great little B&B, a twin room for £20 each or double en-suite with French beds and wide-screen Tv for £25 per person. Martin and Heike (the owners) make you feel welcome without being too in your face.
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*Award winning B&B set in a picturesque village close to historic City of Lincoln. All rooms ensuite and contemporarily decorated. Close to main road and 10 mins from Rail Station. Free parking and Free WiFi.
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As is with any other major city within the UK, it is advisable to take precautions when staying out after dark. When travelling within areas with slightly high levels of crime such as Portland Street, Sincil Bank, Monks Road, Birchwood and Moorland Avenue it is advised to keep your wits about you at night and especially at the weekends. Areas close to the Cathedral Quarter have low levels of crime.
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North of Lincoln the A15 (aka the Roman road Ermine Street) leads to the Humber Bridge and to [wiki=fa15a98397d14fa9d20801afaed38c63]East Yorkshire[/wiki].
* West of Lincoln beyond the vale of the River Trent lies [wiki=877fac38da87d74b3d2628dc4e760605]Sherwood Forest[/wiki].
[[WikiPedia:Lincoln, Lincolnshire]]
[wiki=07f1c6e9e5a0cbfc4cce1269d2a7d0a0]pl:Lincoln[/wiki]
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