Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle is a Norman fortress on a hilltop in Lincolnshire with two mottes, stone walls, and towers within a fortified enclosure. The structure contains a Victorian prison and various medieval buildings that visitors can explore throughout the site.

William the Conqueror ordered construction of this fortress in 1068 on the site of a former Roman settlement to control northern England. The castle was later expanded in the 19th century with a prison that introduced new methods of prisoner management and reform.

The castle houses one of the four surviving original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta, displayed alongside the 1217 Charter of the Forest. These documents reflect how people fought for rights and freedoms during the medieval period.

Visitors can walk the complete medieval wall circuit, which offers views of Lincoln Cathedral and the surrounding landscape. Comfortable shoes are recommended as the path is uneven and climbing the hilltop requires some effort.

The prison chapel contains individual enclosed stalls where inmates sat in isolation during religious services. This system was considered a progressive reform at the time and reveals how prison management philosophies changed over the centuries.

Location: Lincolnshire

Location: Lincoln

Inception: 1068

Founders: William the Conqueror

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Fee: Yes

Address: Castle Square, Lincoln, LN1 3AA

Opening Hours: March 29-October 27 10:00-17:00; October 28-April 04 10:00-16:00; December 24-26 off; January 01 off

Website: https://lincolncastle.com

GPS coordinates: 53.23490,-0.54090

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:00