Lincoln Cathedral — Attraction in Lincoln

Lincoln Cathedral

I was looking forward to visiting the Cathedral, I hadn’t been for a long time, I really wanted to visit my favourite chapel within the Cathedral. This time however I was in a powered wheelchair and was interested in access and hospitality, I found the main entrance door to be a little narrow but doable with cm’s to spare, I was greeted at the reception desk with a smile and was charged £11 for entry. I motored up the Nave and took in the atmosphere, I was lucky, there was a sung eucharist happening, the heavenly chant lifted my experience to a spiritual level of income, I took one or two snaps of the sun rays bleeding through the stained glass on to the stone floor and then went up the ample ramp along the passage aside St Hugh’s Choir. I took a short video because I wanted to record my experience, it was other worldly. Wheeling on I went around the sanctuary and had a couple of thoughts. Firstly I thought mmm, the last time I visited I enjoyed lighting a candle and spending some quiet time with Gilbert and his pots, oh there’s a step, never mind, I can’t experience that now I’m in a wheelchair, should I get out and just soak up the pain, no I’ll to that with Russell. The next thought was, I need to take a snap of Impy, where is he, I’m sure he should be on that one, I think someone has moved him, he seems higher up now? So on to the Russell Chantry and Duncan, this time I “stepped” down and sat down. Feeling the deepening consciousness of the Cathedral and the vibes of the sung eucharist I sat for a century with my eyes closed and remembered the future. I sat and sat and listened and saw. Peeling myself away and headed back on the same route but then turned right through the North Transept towards the cloisters. She was a tall lady dressed in a rather fetching clerical vestment, she looked at me and said are you wanting to go this way, yes please. She used the large bunch of keys to open the “other” side of the double doors, just not quite enough room to get it through with one side open. Really I thought the medieval mason’s should have known to make it wide enough for a powered wheelchair. A lovely lady, I felt a bit elevated to a higher plane of importance, there she was all vested in flowing glory yet giving me priority entrance to a place that seemed locked yet not to all. I love sound, I should have recorded it, the sung, the door, the keys, the steps, the reverberation of the stone echo channeling me forward. I thanked her and slowly wheeled around the cloisters remembering a past life dressed in a woollen hooded cloak with a bald spot on the top of my head chanting deep voices. The door to the visitor centre seemed narrow to the eye but wasn’t, if my memory serves me well I think this is where I encountered “the lift” the notice on the wall said “press the button until you hear a loud click” the lift/platform came down and the glass door opened and then I heard a loud click, moving on to the platform I heard the lady say “I’ll close the door for you and bring you up” she explained that the automatic door didn’t close behind you and it was impossible to turn around and close it by yourself, designers aye. When I got to the top she explained where everything was and to let her know if I needed anything. I briefly visited the army uniforms and then decided to use the award winning accessible toilets. Wheeling in the corridor I spotted the door, I needed my radar key, I think with some clever manoeuvres I could of negotiated the corridor, toilet door and lock but I gave in and left my chair outside the door. It wasn’t until I was closing the door that I realised I was blocking the entrance to the...

Lincoln, and it's cathedral, is a place I've longed to visit for many years, and finally got the chance to do just that a month ago ...it was worth the wait. I've seen many of our country's great cathedrals on my travels around the UK, but Lincoln cathedral, perched high on the hill, is perhaps the most impressive.

I'm not a deeply religious person, or cultural person, but for me, the appeal of cathedrals, are their size, associated historic significance, but more importantly their structural & architectural design. This was not only the worlds tallest at the time, but one of best examples of Gothic styling I've ever seen, with an incredible amount of features & intricate detail. The scale of this cathedral truly is vast, so you can appreciate how it must've really pushed the limits of what was possible from an engineering & building perspective. Like many others, it makes use of massive, intertwining arches for support, but here you'll notice it's been used to the extreme, they are everywhere, giving it massive structural strength.

As you'll see from my photos, as is often the case with important buildings of this age, there is currently ongoing restoration work being carried out. This means there are some large areas obscured from view by scaffolding, and what appeared to be some archeological works going on within the grounds. Just something to bear in mind, but not enough to spoil it's enjoyment.

Of those I've been to, I would say Salisbury cathedral is perhaps still my favourite, with it's beautiful grounds & surroundings, but Lincoln is without the most impressive on so many levels.

So why 4, not 5 stars? Obviously this rating has nothing to do with the cathedral itself, or the fact that it's undergoing works, which partially cover some of the building, as these are very much needed. No, it's because whilst I appreciate the massive maintenance cost involved for such a large historic building, it is also part of our national heritage, and as such should be made as accessible as possible, so that everyone can have a chance to appreciate it's beauty & history. Unfortunately, I thought the admittance charges were rather high, and ultimately preventing many people, including myself (mainly as I didn't have enough time left to make it worthwhile) from being able to admire & appreciate it, beyond the external building itself, shame.

From a business perspective, it's an historic attraction, so surely lowering the prices would attract significantly more visitors, and increase it's overall admission takings, and associated souvenir sales, and yet requires no more staff or costs to implement, other than...

Lincoln Cathedral is a stunning example of medieval architecture and a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and architecture. Located in the heart of Lincoln, this magnificent cathedral is one of the most impressive examples of Gothic architecture in the world.

As you approach the cathedral, you'll be awed by its towering spires and intricate stonework. The interior is just as impressive, with soaring vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, and a wealth of decorative features that showcase the incredible skill of the craftsmen who built it.

One of the highlights of a visit to Lincoln Cathedral is the chance to see the iconic Lincoln Imp, a small stone carving that is said to be responsible for all the mischief and mayhem in the cathedral. It's a charming and quirky detail that adds to the overall experience of visiting the cathedral.

The cathedral also boasts a rich history, having been the site of many important events over the centuries, including the coronation of King Henry VI in 1430. There are a number of fascinating exhibits and displays that provide insight into the cathedral's history and the people who have worshipped there over the centuries.

The cathedral is also a functioning place of worship, and visitors are welcome to attend services if they wish. The atmosphere during a service is truly breathtaking, with the soaring music and ethereal surroundings making for a truly spiritual experience.

Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Lincoln Cathedral. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of ancient buildings, you'll find something to love at this...