Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle was one of the first castles built by William the Conqueror in 1068 from which the Norman overlords could rule.

The castle was built over the original Roman fort on top of the hill overlooking the county after evicting the Saxon settlement that had taken it over. Aside from the circular castle walls, which you can walk around for stunning views across Lincolnshire, the only remaining part from this early period is the former castle Keep.

The castle was commanded by a Constable and in the Middle Ages would have been bustling with nobles and soldiers practicing their fighting skills. Today this scene is recreated as groups of amateur enthusiasts dress up in period costumes and practice their archery and musketeering or compete in jousting tournaments and sword fights.

The county’s law courts have resided within the castle walls for over 900 years and is where the Crown Court resides today. The castle also housed Lincoln ’s prisoners, form the 12th Century in the dungeon of the infamous Cobb Tower on top of which public executions would be held. Later they were housed in the Victorian prison, which today has exhibitions on life behind bars.

Also housed here is an excellent exhibition on the Magna Carta, the defining document of liberty on which other countries such as the US have based their constitutional rights. Lincoln has one of only three remaining original copies and the exhibition explains the role of the county’s barons in forcing King John to sign it.