Choristers Mews Guidebook
City/town information
Set on cobbled streets with a quaint yet historic atmosphere, the Cathedral Quarter is both unique and vibrant. Castle Square nestles between Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle - including the 1215 Magna Carta - and is home to the Visitor Information Centre and regular farmers', antiques and artists' markets. To the north is the famous Bailgate shopping area and you can find the award-winning Steep Hill to the south.
1. Visit Lincoln Castle:
What is it? A double motte Norman castle with layer-upon-layer of history.
Why go? Built by William the Conqueror, on a spot favoured by the Romans, Lincoln Castle has seen untold drama and bloodshed in its thousand-year history. Now restored to its former glory, you can visit to find out more about its past and the people that called it home. The jewel in the city’s crown, most big events also happen in and around the castle’s ancient structure.
2. Visit the Artisan Maker
What is it? A shop selling a myriad of goods made using traditional techniques and materials.
Why go? Selling everything from ostrich feather dusters to frames made from upcycled whiskey barrels, this shop’s ethos is to preserve and protect the skills and traditional methods of crafting. This means whatever you buy directly benefits its creator – whether they be local to Lincoln or from further afield.
3. The Cheese Society
What is it? A shop filled with rows and rows of glorious dairy-based goodness.
Why go? Calling all cheese fiends, this is one’s for you! The Cheese Society rounds up the great and the good from the world of fromage to help you find the perfect pecorino or a sterling Stilton to satisfy your cheesy urges. Lincolnshire also produces a glut of its own varieties of the good stuff so you can totally justify a trip here as a cultural experience. They even have a cheese-based café – bliss!
4. Lincoln Arboretum
What is it? A Victorian-era park filled with fountains, lakes and other beautiful scenery.
Why go? The Arboretum is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. (Make sure to explore and find the Victorian bandstand and maze.) Pack a picnic filled with some of the fantastic local food on offer here, or visit its tea rooms for a cheeky slice of cake. If you fancy something a little stronger, The Dog and Bone is nearby. It’s an old-school boozer complete with a stack of board games to play.
5. Lincoln Makers Market
What is it? Lincoln’s premier craft market featuring heaps of local sellers.
Why go? This bi-monthly market switches locations between Castle Hill and Lincoln’s Cornhill, giving you an excuse to pay a visit to some of Lincoln’s well-known haunts. Filled with local crafters and independent sellers, you can find anything at the market, from bespoke cushion covers to handmade (affordable) sculptures and items that you won’t find in any other city. Lincoln also has weekly markets, such as the Farmer’s Market, and there’s even a French Market too. The markets are held every first Saturday of the month from February to December and at the Lincoln Makers' Market Christmas Village as part of the famous Lincoln Christmas Market. There are extra dates in May for the Bank Holiday and an extra Sunday in December.
The markets are jointly run by the potters Leah Goldberg from Dancing Hare Pottery on M:07919 806593 or E:snailtank@hotmail.co.uk and Alison Martin from Yellowbelly Crafts M:07799397974 or E: yellowbellycrafts@gmail.com
6. Steep Hill
What is it? Steep Hill is Lincoln’s most famous street filled with independent traders and cafes. It’s also very, er, steep.
Why go? If you can stomach the climb (it’s not that bad, honest!) you’ll be spoilt with some amazing shops, brilliant places to eat and more than a few spots to snap an Instagram pic or two. Even the buildings ooze that wonderfully quirky English charm we all know and love.
7. Bishop Palace Summerhouse
What is it? An obscure little monument that makes you feel like you’re in a hidden world.
Why go? The Medieval Bishops’ Palace is the ideal place to escape. The well-kept grounds and windy little paths date back millennia and make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The Summerhouse on its grounds is no exception, with its otherworldly feeling making it the perfect place for contemplation and a bit of quiet time. Keep your eyes open for the garden’s very own vineyard as well.
….and not to forget ‘Lincoln Cathedral’!!
154 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lincoln
Set on cobbled streets with a quaint yet historic atmosphere, the Cathedral Quarter is both unique and vibrant. Castle Square nestles between Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle - including the 1215 Magna Carta - and is home to the Visitor Information Centre and regular farmers', antiques and artists' markets. To the north is the famous Bailgate shopping area and you can find the award-winning Steep Hill to the south.
1. Visit Lincoln Castle:
What is it? A double motte Norman castle with layer-upon-layer of history.
Why go? Built by William the Conqueror, on a spot favoured by the Romans, Lincoln Castle has seen untold drama and bloodshed in its thousand-year history. Now restored to its former glory, you can visit to find out more about its past and the people that called it home. The jewel in the city’s crown, most big events also happen in and around the castle’s ancient structure.
2. Visit the Artisan Maker
What is it? A shop selling a myriad of goods made using traditional techniques and materials.
Why go? Selling everything from ostrich feather dusters to frames made from upcycled whiskey barrels, this shop’s ethos is to preserve and protect the skills and traditional methods of crafting. This means whatever you buy directly benefits its creator – whether they be local to Lincoln or from further afield.
3. The Cheese Society
What is it? A shop filled with rows and rows of glorious dairy-based goodness.
Why go? Calling all cheese fiends, this is one’s for you! The Cheese Society rounds up the great and the good from the world of fromage to help you find the perfect pecorino or a sterling Stilton to satisfy your cheesy urges. Lincolnshire also produces a glut of its own varieties of the good stuff so you can totally justify a trip here as a cultural experience. They even have a cheese-based café – bliss!
4. Lincoln Arboretum
What is it? A Victorian-era park filled with fountains, lakes and other beautiful scenery.
Why go? The Arboretum is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. (Make sure to explore and find the Victorian bandstand and maze.) Pack a picnic filled with some of the fantastic local food on offer here, or visit its tea rooms for a cheeky slice of cake. If you fancy something a little stronger, The Dog and Bone is nearby. It’s an old-school boozer complete with a stack of board games to play.
5. Lincoln Makers Market
What is it? Lincoln’s premier craft market featuring heaps of local sellers.
Why go? This bi-monthly market switches locations between Castle Hill and Lincoln’s Cornhill, giving you an excuse to pay a visit to some of Lincoln’s well-known haunts. Filled with local crafters and independent sellers, you can find anything at the market, from bespoke cushion covers to handmade (affordable) sculptures and items that you won’t find in any other city. Lincoln also has weekly markets, such as the Farmer’s Market, and there’s even a French Market too. The markets are held every first Saturday of the month from February to December and at the Lincoln Makers' Market Christmas Village as part of the famous Lincoln Christmas Market. There are extra dates in May for the Bank Holiday and an extra Sunday in December.
The markets are jointly run by the potters Leah Goldberg from Dancing Hare Pottery on M:07919 806593 or E:snailtank@hotmail.co.uk and Alison Martin from Yellowbelly Crafts M:07799397974 or E: yellowbellycrafts@gmail.com
6. Steep Hill
What is it? Steep Hill is Lincoln’s most famous street filled with independent traders and cafes. It’s also very, er, steep.
Why go? If you can stomach the climb (it’s not that bad, honest!) you’ll be spoilt with some amazing shops, brilliant places to eat and more than a few spots to snap an Instagram pic or two. Even the buildings ooze that wonderfully quirky English charm we all know and love.
7. Bishop Palace Summerhouse
What is it? An obscure little monument that makes you feel like you’re in a hidden world.
Why go? The Medieval Bishops’ Palace is the ideal place to escape. The well-kept grounds and windy little paths date back millennia and make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The Summerhouse on its grounds is no exception, with its otherworldly feeling making it the perfect place for contemplation and a bit of quiet time. Keep your eyes open for the garden’s very own vineyard as well.
….and not to forget ‘Lincoln Cathedral’!!
Food scene
82 Bailgate, Lincoln LN1 3AR
Unique café in a home and gift shop on Lincolns famous Bailgate
Sanctuary in the Bail
82 Bailgate82 Bailgate, Lincoln LN1 3AR
Unique café in a home and gift shop on Lincolns famous Bailgate
3 Castle Hill · Near Lincoln Castle
Traditional Spanish small plates, plus wine & cocktails on offer in a homey, dark wood setting.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Olivares Tapas Bar
3 Castle Hill3 Castle Hill · Near Lincoln Castle
Traditional Spanish small plates, plus wine & cocktails on offer in a homey, dark wood setting.
Sightseeing
If you can stomach the climb (it’s not that bad, honest!) you’ll be spoilt with some amazing shops, brilliant places to eat and more than a few spots to snap an Instagram pic or two. Even the buildings ooze that wonderfully quirky English charm we all know and love.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bailgate
BailgateIf you can stomach the climb (it’s not that bad, honest!) you’ll be spoilt with some amazing shops, brilliant places to eat and more than a few spots to snap an Instagram pic or two. Even the buildings ooze that wonderfully quirky English charm we all know and love.
Neighbourhoods
What will you find in Cornhill Quarters? Lots of shops including:
• Hobbs
• JoJo Maman Bebe
• Lush
• Moss Bros
• Phase Eight
• SeaSalt
• Superdry
• Waterstones
• Whistles
….Lots of new bars and restaurants
From end of November we welcome the Lincoln Thor Teepee Bar
• Cosy Club
• Pho
• The Botanist
• Sign of the Fish
Lincoln Cornhill
What will you find in Cornhill Quarters? Lots of shops including:
• Hobbs
• JoJo Maman Bebe
• Lush
• Moss Bros
• Phase Eight
• SeaSalt
• Superdry
• Waterstones
• Whistles
….Lots of new bars and restaurants
From end of November we welcome the Lincoln Thor Teepee Bar
• Cosy Club
• Pho
• The Botanist
• Sign of the Fish
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
The Hopper Shuttle Service is a great way to get around
Travelling by foot can sometimes be a little tiring when marching up and down Steep Hill with lots of bags from all that shopping!! We are super fortunate that Lincoln provide a lovely service locally referred to as the ‘Hopper’ that picks up 2 minutes from Chorister Mews and drops off just outside the Lincoln Hotel.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Hire Bike Lincoln
https://www.hirebikelincoln.co.uk/
The 24-hour, on-street bike share scheme available across Lincoln.
Casual or Regular user? Electric or Pedal Bikes? Whether you are a visitor, commuter or Lincoln local, there’s a bike and membership for everyone.
Costumbres y cultura
Tour Lincoln open top bus!
Take a ride on Tour Lincoln, the open-top sightseeing bus with live commentary, for one of the best ways to experience the city of Lincoln for yourself.
Discover Lincoln’s 2,000 year history being brought to life with live commentary by our Tour Guides on the hop-on hop-off open top tour bus. Find out about Lincoln’s Magna Carta, the stunning Cathedral and Castle, Roman Lincoln, Aviation Heritage and much more.
The newly livered bus launched alongside the Lincoln IMP Trail on Saturday 3 July 2021.
For running dates etc, please ask at the Lincoln Visitors Centre, Castle Square.