City Guide

Discover Greater Lincoln Weekend

During March each year for one weekend Lincoln offers it's visitors a weekend of contrasts – many for free.

Heritage and history will mix with contemporary arts and culture as the area around Lincoln sees many of its most popular attractions joining in the annual Discover Greater Lincoln event.

During the weekend the doors of many attractions open for free – inviting visitors to discover a wealth of treasures.

Attractions in Lincoln – ranked among the top 10 favourite UK cities in a poll last year – such as its imposing castle and beautiful gothic Cathedral join other attractions in the area, for example Sleaford's Cogglesford Mill and The Hub, historic Doddington Hall and the Natural World Centre at Whisby Nature Park in offering a packed weekend line-up.

The Discover Greater Lincoln Weekend is a great introduction to what the area has to offer with plenty to see and lots to do – and many with free entry. Even those familiar with the area can discover plenty more attractions they never knew were on their doorstep.

Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral is one of the finest medieval buildings in Europe, which towers above Lincoln, a prominent landmark for miles around.

The imposing West Front incorporates the surviving part of the first Romanesque Cathedral dating from 1072. Most of the Cathedral dates from the 13th century when, inspired by the leadership of St Hugh (Bishop from 1186-1200), the Cathedral was re-built in the new gothic style. Later generations added the wonderful carved screen, the 14th century misericords, the Wren Library and the Duncan Grant frescoes.

Located in the aptly named Cathedral Quarter at the top of Steep Hill, the Cathedral is a must on every visitor's list.

Daily services, concerts, recitals, exhibitions and special events take place at the Cathedral. In the summer of 2005 it played host to the filming of part of the Da Vinci Code and every December it is an integral part to the unique setting of Lincoln's world famous Christmas Market.

Guided Tours

Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the historic City of Lincoln with one of our friendly and informative City Guides.
For more information regarding our guided tour service, please use this link.

Time Travel Pass

Experience Lincoln's remarkable sites with a Time Travel Pass – a passport to the city's historic gems, including Lincoln Cathedral, Medieval Bishops' Palace, Lincoln Castle, Museum of Lincolnshire Life and Ellis Mill.

There are two types of pass available – a family ticket, which is valid for seven days and entitles two adults and up to three children unlimited access to participating venues, for £20. Alternatively, a single ticket is available for £9.99, which is valid for three days. Both tickets give unlimited free access to participating venues during normal opening hours. The only exceptions are: evening events where normal ticket prices apply and daytime events where the ticket entitles holders to a 50% discount on entry to all Lincolnshire County Council sites.

Christmas Market

Lincoln Christmas Market is an event not to be missed. More a Christmas experience than anything else, a trip to Lincoln is guaranteed to melt the heart of even the most avowed anti-shopper! Imagine a cobbled square overlooked by a floodlit 12th Century Cathedral, a Norman Castle and black and white timber-framed buildings.

Brightly coloured stalls decorated with lights, selling every conceivable Christmas gift and the traders in Victorian costume. The aroma of chestnuts roasting, mince pies and hot mulled wine. The delicate sound of hand bell ringers or local choirs singing carols by lantern light, street theatre and beautiful services in the majestic Cathedral.

These are just some of the reasons people flock to our beautiful City at this special time of the year.

Lincoln 10k Road Race

The prestigious Lincoln 10k RoadRace will return to the City on Sunday 30th March 2008. The race will once again see runners, joggers and walkers, pounding the streets of uphill Lincoln, racing for the winning title, racing for charity or just for fun! The event organised by the City of Lincoln Council Sport Development Team, is a very popular race for athletes of all abilities, attracting over 1,000 competitors from the Lincoln region and nationally. The race will take place in much of the historic part of Lincoln including the Cathedral and concluded within the grounds of Lincoln Castle. Every runner will receive a unique medal and there were numerous excellent prizes for a variety of different age category winners.

Lincoln Waterfront Festival

The Lincoln Waterfront Festival is a family orientated street arts festival based around the Brayford Waterfront in the heart of Lincoln's bustling City Centre. Each year we have a fabulous free programme with a combination of exciting and innovative acts as well as our well established favourites; the World Champion Jet Skiers; street theatre performers, live music and a firework finale, and a whole lot more!