Lincoln Castle, Norman castle in Lincoln, England
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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Lincoln Christmas Market
149 m
Assize Courts
63 m
Eleanor Cross fragment 5 metres east of the Govenor's House
54 m
Bust of George III
52 m
3, Castle Hill
148 m
Judges Lodging and attached railing
126 m
Lincoln Roman colonia (Lindum)
127 m
Hilton House and attached wall and gatepiers
150 m
Bath house inside north wall of Lincoln Castle
69 m
Castle Hill Club
130 m
6 and 7, Castle Hill
142 m
Governor's House and old prison and chapel and exercise yard and enclosing wall
38 mK6 Telephone Kiosk At South East Corner Of Judges' Lodging
140 mArchway Attached To Number 14 Castle Villa (Number 14 Not Included)
114 m17, Bailgate
151 m16, Bailgate
150 m12A, Bailgate
149 m9 And 10, Bailgate
151 m1-4, Drury Lane
129 m18, Bailgate
153 mWash House 2 Metres North Of Number 14 Castle Villa (Number 14 Not Included)
106 m15 And 16, Drury Lane
112 mCastle Moat House
125 m8, Bailgate
151 mHilton Lodge And Attached Walls
140 m14, Bailgate
148 m15, Bailgate
148 mKing George III
51 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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