I'm a married father of 4 children who likes days out has experience of family products and destina...
I'm a married father of 4 children who likes days out has experience of family products and destinations. I find sites like this useful before purchasing/embarking on a trip somewhere, so hopefully my experiences of places will assist people too
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LincolnCastle is situated in the Cathedral Quarter of Lincoln atop Steep Hill which leads into central Lincoln and beyond. Originally a Roman settlement it was acquired by William the Conqueror (who commissioned the building of the nearby Cathedral) due to its strategic importance in Lindum (now known as Lincoln) an important market town.
It is not particularly easy to get to, in that if you are visiting Lincoln town centre, you have limited options to get there. You have a 20 minute walk up a VERY Steep Hill (do not underestimate it's name "Steep Hill") and down again, or a drive to find a space in limited local car parks or waiting for the free shuttle bus, where disabled visitors tend to take priority.
It isn't as spectacular as some of the other castles open to the public in England and Wales, but it was felled by Oliver Cromwell post civil-war and to be honest the exterior walls resemble ruins rather than a castle.
The castle was built in Motte and Bailey style, and now contains a red brick victorian prison and the modern day Lincoln Crown Court.
This Castle is nothing without the tour, which I believe runs most days in summer but only on weekends during winter. The tour really brings the castle alive, and having visited the castle with and without tour - I would certainly note you get a LOT more out of the establishment WITH the tour.
There is a leaflet provided if you do "go it alone" with snippets of information about key features which is useful with the tour as well as without, helping to identify points of interest on your way around.
It starts with a tour of the walls and the execution area where prisoners were held and hung in view of the castle square, and proceeds around the watch tower to the bailey atop a steep stone stairwell (which used to be wooden when the castle was "in use).
The tour also points out many notable features along the way, both from Roman times and the days of the Victorian Prison. It lasts roughly 2 hours after which you are free to go off on your own.
Other points of interest include the interior of the prison, (Chapel, cells, excersize area) as well as one of only 4 copies of the Magna Carta (The English version of the US Constituion) which contains the basis of many of the English laws we abide by today as well as it's history in the exhibition hall.
Facilities, as well as the tour, include gift shop, toilets and cafe for drinks and snacks, with outdoor eating facilities.
Disabled or those with limited mobility might struggle, given the nature of the attraction and this might limit what visitors get out of their experience. Children under the age of 16 may struggle to find much to be interested about at this attraction, as the tour has a lot of talking yet without there isn't much to see.
Prices are reasonable for adults (unsure, check locally) and I do know of concessions for students. Photography is permitted (except where exhibitions are protected) and you MUST take a camera to capture the simply amazing views when walking around the wall!
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Jan 15th, 2008
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