A Saturday afternoon in early Spring, the choices are vegetating on the couch, or doing something a lot more invigorating and inspiring. You could do worse than a visit to Lincoln Cathedral, this fabulous Norman edifice created by Bishop Hugh (eventually St Hugh) and Bishop Remigious amongst others dominates the skyline of Lincoln and the wolds, as it has for around 900 years.
A believer or no it, it takes a hard heart to not be awed by the sheer majesty of the building and the skill of medieval builders and craftsmen who toiled for over 20 years to create a building that would remain largely unchanged from the time it was built.
I parked the car in the Cathedral close, not always possible, but on this particular Saturday it wasn’t a problem, and started to walk around the the imposing West Front with its magnificent vast doors. I always think that those people who live in the houses around the close are very lucky, apart from the steady stream of visitors constantly taking photos and milling around.
I should mention that the Cathedral charges an entrance fee of around £11 to go inside and explore, unless you are going to attend a service, or pop in to pray. The sums needed to preserve this monument to Christianity are huge, many millions a year, and the church doesn’t receive state support to furnish the continuous and ongoing repairs necessary to ensure that it is around for another 900 years.
The stained glass is absolutely beautiful, and if the sun is shining through the colours on the pillars are stunning.
There is much to see inside, from the tombs of Katheryn Swynford (wife of John of Gaunt) and her daughter Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmorland to the infamous Lincoln Imp, and the intricately carved Choir to the soaring columns and vaulted roofs.
Over the last couple of years the new visitor centre, shop and restaurant have been finished, and are well worth a visit- even if only for a moorish cake and cup of tea!
The Cathedral sits in the heart of Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter where you can see the Castle, The Bishops House, Steep Hill (well named!) The Bailgate, and the Judges House to name a few. If you are artistic or enjoy taking photographs then this is the place for you. After feeding the soul you can find a gourmets delight of restaurants offering cuisines from as far afield as India, Argentina, Spain, Thailand and good solid British fare in the form of sumptuous pies.
Steep Hill itself is well worth trudging down to get to the city centre, I say trudging down, but most of the “trudging” occurs on the journey back up. Beware, it is very steep, but well rewarded by the plethora of independent shops bordering the route.
