Lincoln is a small City in the Midlands ( about an hour away from Nottingham, Sheffield, Leicester.) I have been born and bred here so am a true yellowbelly!

The city itself has about 90,000 inhabitants, and is also home to a beautiful Cathedral and Castle.

It is now split into two areas - "the Bail" which is the uphill part of town where the Cathedral, Castle and old buildings are and the High Street which is the more modern area. Although if you look above the shopfronts there is still some amazing architecture and there is a Tea Room bridging the Witham that is hundreds of years old. Since the University has been built the area around it has become thriving with bars, restaurants and once a year holds a water festival with a continental market. It is worth going to this and just trying some of the delicacies. They are delicious!


History
Lincoln was conquered by the Romans in 48AD who gave it the name Lindum Colonia. They settled here for many years and some of the Roman Roads still remain (if only in a more modernised tarmacked way) Tillbridge lane is a great example of this.


Castle
Because it is accesible from the River Trent and Witham and had good roadways left by the Romans, William the Conquerer ordered a castle be built in 1068

Within the Victorian Prison is home to an Original copy of the Magna Carta - signed in 1215. It is only one of four surviving copies. The castle is also the home of the Crown Court in Lincoln

In the summer time this is the venue for open air concerts who have in recent years included Lemar, Liberty X, Status Quo, Russell Watson and many classical orchestra's. You can take a picnic (if you take some sausages and burgers they will barbecue them for you) and have a great night out.


The Cathedral
The Cathedral was ordered to be built in 1072 by William the Conquerer. This was completed in 1090 but was destroyed by a fire. Bishop Alexander rebuilt the Cathedral, but this was destroyed by an Earthquake!

Bishop Hugh then built the current Cathedral as it stands today with its gothic stylings, which was completed in 1235. To walk from the cobble up to the Cathedral is breathtaking. And there is even a vineyard within the grounds.

If you are walking through the Cathedral make sure you visit the Rose Window - which I believe is the largest stain glass window in the country, and keep an eye out for the famed Lincoln Imp - who was turned into stone by angels after causing havoc in the Cathedral.

Should you be feeling particularly brave do go on the Ghost Walk - it takes places Wednesday to Saturday night at 7pm and starts outside the Cathedral. For a 90 minute walk it will set you back £4. Make sure you take a photo on Greestone Steps - commonly thought of as the most haunted place in Lincoln! If you don't appear in the picture it means you aren't welcome in the City!!!


Christmas Market
Every year about 2 weeks before Christmas is a massive open air market around the Bail. It runs from Friday through to Sunday and has around 350 stalls sellingjust about everything you could imagine. There is a park and ride from the showground which will save you driving round looking for a space. The market is free to enter, but be careful because people come from as far away as America for this event so it does tend to be really busy


University
The University was opened by The Queen in 1996 and has it's main campus on Brayford Pool although its Agricultural sites are out of the town centre. The building specialises in Law, Media, Architecture, Agriculture and Teaching. With the influx of students has come a greater number of bars and restaurants


Eateries
Lincoln is home to some great places to eat. In the main part of the High Street are the main chain pubs, but on the Brayford (opposite the University) are many Cafe Bars, trying to embrace the European Cafe Culture. So:Luxe is very good for reasonable priced sandwiches - you can get a shredded duck baguette, salad chips and drink for around £5.

On Guildhall Street is Chillies - a Mexican Restaurant which has lunchtime offers and great food. It is quite small so worth booking a table.

If you fancy good English food The Sign of the Fish on Sincil Street do the best Fish, Chips and Curry Sauce for about £2

In the Bail are the more upmarket end of the Restaurants. Viela is one of the most unique restaurants in the area. It is a Brazilian Barbecue where for around £20 you get soup, Brazilian style nibbles, salad bar and then the Chefs come round to the table and slice off 10 different types of meat for you. It is all you can eat - so make sure you only have a light lunch.

Also worth a look is Brown's Pie Shop - this was visited by Ian McKellan twice during his week long visit. The Steak and Ale Pie is legendary and the portions are quite massive. This can be about £20 per head but if you go for the beat the clock option (from 5pm) you only pay £1 more than the time you arrived. Be warned though - there is a ghost here - a little boy called Humphrey. If you are sitting in the Basement area make sure to acknowledge him because he does cause mischief!


Football Club
Lincoln City are a Football Club riding high in League 2 at present. The club was founded in 1884 and has been a stalwart of the lower divisions since then. Graham Taylor took charge in the 1970's and gained them the title of "Highest Points total ever" (for a 2point win.)

Lincoln City are nicknamed "The Imps"

There ground is Sincil Bank, which has a capacity of 10,127

Tickets are around £12-£15 depending on the stand you wish to sit in


Claims to fame
In recent years Lincoln has hit the headlines - firstly for Gwyneth Paltrow's visit whilst filming Possession here, David Jason came to film Diamond Geezer here, Kiera Knightley filmed Pride & Prejudice at Belton House in Lincolnshire and most Impressively, large parts of The Da Vinci code were filmed at the Cathedral (Tom Hanks, Audrey Tatou and Ian McKellan all stayed in the city for a week.)