Lincoln, England facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lincoln Lindon, Lindum Colonia
Cathedral city and non-metropolitan district
Lincoln/City of Lincoln
Lincoln Cathedral Cornhill Quarter High Bridge over the River Witham Steep Hill Brayford Pool and the cathedral Lincoln city skyline
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  Tank Town,
Shown within Lincolnshire
Lincoln Location in the East Midlands Show map of the East Midlands Lincoln Location in England Show map of England Lincoln Location in the United Kingdom Show map of the United Kingdom Lincoln Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	England
Region	East Midlands
Ceremonial county	Lincolnshire
City status	1072
Incorporated	1 April 1974
Administrative centre	Lincoln City Hall
Wards and suburbs of the city	List Abbey (Ward) Birchwood (Ward) Boultham (Ward) Carholme (Ward) Castle (Ward) Glebe (Ward) Hartsholme (Ward) Minster (Ward) Moorland (Ward) Park (Ward) Witham (Ward) Boultham Moor Bracebridge Bracebridge Heath (Village) Bracebridge Low Fields Burton (Village) Burton Waters Canwick (Village) Canwick Hill Cornhill Quarter Ermine Ermine East Ermine West Hykeham Central Hykeham Fosse Hykeham Memorial Monks Road (District) New Boultham Newland (District) Newport (District) North Hykeham (Town) Riseholme (Village) Skellingthorpe (Village) South Hykeham (Village) St Catherine's St Giles Estate Steep Hill Swallowbeck Swanpool Waddington (Village) Waddington Low Fields Washingborough (Village) West End (District) Western Growth Corridor Wigford (District)
Government
• Type	Non-metropolitan district
• Body	City of Lincoln Council
Area
• City and District	13.78 sq mi (35.69 km2)
Population
• City and District	103,813
• Rank	245th (of 326)
• Density	1,780/sq mi (687/km2)
• Urban	130,200
• Metro	189,000
Demonym(s)	Lincolnian, Lincolnite, Lincolner
Ethnicity (2021)
• Ethnic groups	List 92.2% White 3.2% Asian 2% Mixed 1.4% Black 0.9% other
Religion (2021)
• Religion	List 50.7% no religion 45.5% Christianity 2% Islam 0.4% Buddhism 1.4% other
Time zone	UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
Postcode areas	LN
Dialling codes	01522
ONS code	32UD (ONS) E07000138 (GSS)
OS grid reference	SK9771
Primary airports	Humberside, East Midlands
Councillors	33
Member of Parliament	Hamish Falconer (Lab)

Lincoln is a historic cathedral city and district in Lincolnshire, England. It is the main town of Lincolnshire. In 2021, the city's district had a population of 103,813 people. The wider urban area of Lincoln, which includes nearby towns and villages, had about 127,540 people.

The city's history goes back to an Iron Age settlement. Later, the Romans built a city called Lindum Colonia here. Over time, its name became Lincoln. Important landmarks include Lincoln Cathedral, which was once the tallest building in the world, and the 11th-century Lincoln Castle. Lincoln is also home to the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University. It is the biggest city in Lincolnshire.

Discover Lincoln's Past: A Journey Through Time

How Lincoln Began: The Earliest Days

Brayford Pool

Lincoln's story starts with an Iron Age village from around 100 BC. Archaeologists found remains of round wooden houses in 1972. This village was built by a deep pool, now called Brayford Pool, at the bottom of a big hill. Later, the Normans built Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle on this very hill.

The name Lincoln might come from this time. The early people, called Celts, probably named their settlement Lindon, meaning "The Pool." This name likely referred to Brayford Pool. We don't know how big this first settlement was. Its remains are now buried deep under later Roman and medieval buildings.

Roman Lincoln: Lindum Colonia

Newport Arch, a 3rd-century Roman gate

The Romans took over this part of Britain in AD 48. Soon after, they built a strong army base high on the hill. This base overlooked the natural lake formed by the River Witham, which is now Brayford Pool. It was also at the end of the Fosse Way, an important Roman road.

The Celtic name Lindon became Lindum in Latin. When the Roman army moved to York in AD 71, Lindum became a Colonia. This meant it was a special settlement for retired soldiers. Its full name was Colonia Domitiana Lindensium, named after its founder, Domitian.

The city grew into a busy place. Ships could reach it from the sea using the River Trent and the River Witham. By the late 400s, the city was mostly empty. However, some people still lived there.

From Roman Times to Norman Rule (AD 410–1066)

East Gate, Lincoln Castle

During this time, the Roman name Lindum Colonia changed. In Old English, it became Lindocolina, then Lincylene.

After some destructive raids by the Vikings, Lincoln became important again for trade. In Viking times, Lincoln was a busy trading hub. It even made its own coins. By the late 900s, it was as important as the mint in York.

After the Danelaw was set up in 886, Lincoln became one of the Five Boroughs in the East Midlands. This meant it was one of five important Viking towns. The Danes helped Lincoln's economy grow a lot. In 1068, two years after the Normans took over England, William the Conqueror ordered Lincoln Castle to be built. He chose the same hill where the Romans had built their fortress.

Lincoln Cathedral: A Towering History

Norman West Front of Lincoln Cathedral

Building the first Lincoln Cathedral started in 1072. It was finished in 1092. After a fire, it was rebuilt. Then, an earthquake destroyed it in 1185. The new Lincoln Minster was built on a grand scale. Its central spire was said to be 525 feet (160 meters) high. This made it the tallest building in Europe. When it was finished, it was believed to be the tallest man-made structure in the world, even taller than the Egyptian pyramids.

The Bishops of Lincoln were very powerful in medieval England. The Diocese of Lincoln was the largest in England. It had more monasteries than all other English dioceses combined. It also owned huge amounts of land.

In 1215, when the Magna Carta was created, Hugh of Wells, the Bishop of Lincoln, was one of the witnesses. One of the four original copies of this famous document is kept safe in Lincoln Castle.

Lincoln Cathedral

Many famous bishops served in Lincoln. These include Hugh of Lincoln, who built much of the cathedral, and Robert Grosseteste, a famous thinker from the 13th century. The Bishop's Palace was the main office for the bishops. When it was built in the late 1100s, it was one of England's most important buildings. Kings like Henry VIII and James I stayed there. Sadly, royalist soldiers damaged the palace during the English Civil War in 1648.

Medieval Lincoln: A Busy City

Coat of arms of King James I added in 1617 when the monarch visited the city for 9 days

In 1141, Lincoln was the site of a battle during a civil war called the Anarchy. King Stephen fought against Empress Matilda's forces. After fierce street fighting, Stephen's army lost, and he was captured.

By 1150, Lincoln was one of England's richest towns. Its economy was based on cloth and wool. These goods were sent to Flanders. Lincoln's weavers formed a guild in 1130. They made famous Lincoln Cloth, especially bright 'scarlet' and 'green' fabrics. The legendary Robin Hood was even said to wear clothes of "Lincoln green."

The old part of town was around the Bailgate and down Steep Hill. This street leads to the High Bridge, which has old half-timbered houses hanging over the river. There are also three very old churches: St Mary le Wigford and St Peter at Gowts from the 11th century, and St Mary Magdalene, built in the late 1200s.

12th century Jew's House

Lincoln had one of England's most important Jewish communities. The Jew's House and the House of Aaron are old buildings that show where Jewish people lived. In 1255, a sad event called 'The Libel of Lincoln' happened. Jewish people were falsely accused of a crime. Many were sent to the Tower of London, and 18 were executed. All Jews were forced to leave England in 1290.

Some historians say Lincoln's wealth started to decline in the 1300s. However, others argue that the city remained strong in trade and communication well into the 1400s. In 1409, Lincoln became its own county, known as the County of the City of Lincoln.

Changes in the 1500s

16th-century High Bridge

The Dissolution of the Monasteries made things harder for Lincoln. This meant many monasteries were closed, including seven in the city. This cut off a major source of money and support for the area. When the cathedral's tall spire fell in 1549 and was not replaced, it showed Lincoln's economic decline. However, because Lincoln became less wealthy, many old buildings were saved. In richer cities, these old structures might have been torn down.

Lincoln During the Civil War

The west front of Lincoln Cathedral viewed through the Exchequer Gate, one of a number of surviving gates in the Cathedral Close walls.

Between 1642 and 1651, during the English Civil War, Lincoln was a battleground. It changed hands many times between the Royalist and Parliamentary armies. Many buildings were badly damaged. After the war, Lincoln had no major industries and no easy way to reach the sea. This meant the city struggled. While other parts of England grew in the 1700s, Lincoln remained a small, quiet town.

The Georgian Era: A New Beginning

During the Georgian era, Lincoln's luck started to change. This was partly thanks to the British Agricultural Revolution. The re-opening of the Foss Dyke canal made it easier to bring coal and other materials into the city. This helped new industries grow.

The city also expanded during this time. The West Common became part of Lincoln. Even today, there's an annual "Beat the Boundaries" walk around the edge of the common.

The Industrial Revolution: Lincoln's Boom Time

With the arrival of railways, Lincoln really boomed during the Industrial Revolution. Several famous companies started here, like Ruston's, Clayton's, and William Foster's. Lincoln became known for heavy engineering. They built locomotives, steam shovels, and other large machines.

A military base was set up in the city. The "Old Barracks" (now the Museum of Lincolnshire Life) were finished in 1857. They were later replaced by the "New Barracks" (now Sobraon Barracks) in 1890.

Lincoln in the 20th Century

Lincoln faced a serious typhoid outbreak between 1904 and 1905. It was caused by polluted drinking water. Over 1,000 people got sick, and 131 died. A new system using chlorine was put in place to kill the bacteria. This was one of the first times chlorine was used to clean a city's water supply.

The first tanks were built in Lincoln

During the two World Wars, Lincoln's factories switched to making war supplies. The very first tanks were designed and built in Lincoln by William Foster & Co. during World War I. These tanks were tested on land now covered by Tritton Road. In World War II, Lincoln produced many war goods, including tanks, aircraft, and military vehicles.

After 1945, new suburbs were built. However, heavy industry started to decline towards the end of the 20th century. Today, many people in Lincoln still work building gas turbines.

Lincoln's Economy: How the City Works

Lincoln's economy is quite diverse. About 34% of workers are in public services, education, and healthcare. Another 25% work in shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Some old industrial buildings, like those of Ruston (now Siemens), have been given new life. The University of Lincoln, local radio stations, and gyms now use these spaces. The old Corn Exchange, built in 1848, is now a shopping area. The newer Corn Exchange from 1879 is now a restaurant and shops.

Lincoln also has a growing IT economy. Many online shopping companies are based here. Two electronics companies, e2V and Dynex Semiconductor, are also in Lincoln. An Italian company called Bifrangi, which makes crankshafts for off-road vehicles, is also located here.

Lincoln is a central hub for nearby towns and villages like Welton and Saxilby. People from these areas come to Lincoln for jobs and services. The city is the main center for jobs and facilities in Central Lincolnshire. It also serves a wider area of Lincolnshire and parts of Nottinghamshire.

The University of Lincoln and other colleges help the city's economy grow. They support small businesses, restaurants, and entertainment places. The university has also helped develop the area around the Brayford Pool.

Exploring Lincoln: Fun for Tourists

A view up Steep Hill towards the historic quarter of Bailgate

Waterside Empowerment 2002 sculpture

Lincoln is a popular place for tourists. Visitors come to see its historic buildings, like the cathedral, the castle, and the medieval Bishop's Palace.

The Collection museum is another important attraction. It has over 2,000,000 objects. It was even a finalist for a major museum award in 2006. Any items found during archaeological digs in Lincolnshire are kept here. Other fun places to visit include the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and the International Bomber Command Centre.

If you like nature, you can visit Whisby Nature Reserve and Hartsholme Country Park. For more excitement, you can check out Scampton airfield or Waddington airfield. These are home to the RAF's Red Arrows jet display team.

Every December, the Bailgate area hosts a Christmas Market. It's like a traditional German Christmas market. It's similar to the market in Lincoln's twin town, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse.

Who Lives in Lincoln? Demographics and Diversity

Ethnicity in Lincoln

Lincoln population pyramid in 2021

In the 2021 census, Lincoln's district had 103,813 people. Most residents, 82.7%, were White British. Another 9.5% were from other White groups. South Asian people made up 3.2% of the population. Mixed race people were 2%, and Black British people were 1.4%. Other ethnic groups made up 0.9%, and Arab people were 0.2%. This means 92% of the city's population is White, and 8% are from ethnic minority groups.

About 15.1% of people living in Lincoln were born outside the UK. Of these, 9.6% are from other European countries. The most common countries of birth outside the UK are Poland (2.6%), Romania (1.4%), and Lithuania (1.1%).

Places of Worship in Lincoln

St Swithin's Church, in the city centre

Lincoln has many churches, both old and new. These churches serve the city center and its outer areas. The Lincoln Central Mosque and Cultural Centre is on Dixon Street. The city does not have Sikh or Hindu temples. The closest ones are in Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Nottingham, and Doncaster.

The Jewish Lincoln Synagogue is on Steep Hill. It is in the old building called Jews' Court. This is believed to be where the original medieval synagogue stood. There is also an international temple on James Street.

Some of the churches in Lincoln include: St Mary le Wigford, St Giles, St Benedicts, St Swithin's, Lincoln Cathedral, St Hugh's, St Katherine's, Alive Church, Saint Peter at Gowts, Central Methodist Church, St Nicholas Lincoln Unitarian Chapel and Greek Orthodox Church of St Basil the Great and St Paisios.

More About Lincoln Cathedral

The first Lincoln Cathedral was built inside a walled area facing the castle. Construction began in 1072 and was finished in 1092. It was rebuilt after a fire but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1185. The new cathedral was built on a huge scale. Its central spire was said to be 525 feet (160 meters) high, making it the tallest in Europe. When it was completed, it was believed to be the tallest man-made structure in the world, even taller than the Egyptian pyramids.

The Bishops of Lincoln were very powerful people in medieval England. The Diocese of Lincoln was the largest in England. It had more monasteries than all other English dioceses combined. It also owned huge amounts of land. When the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, Hugh of Wells, the Bishop of Lincoln, was one of the witnesses. One of the four original copies of this famous document is kept safe in Lincoln Castle.

Lincoln Cathedral

Many famous bishops served in Lincoln. These include Hugh of Lincoln, who helped build the cathedral, and Robert Grosseteste, a famous thinker. The Bishop's Palace was the main office for the bishops. When it was built in the late 1100s, it was one of England's most important buildings. Kings like Henry VIII and James I stayed there. Sadly, royalist soldiers damaged the palace in 1648 during the English Civil War.

Lincoln's Landscape and Environment

Lincoln is located at different heights. It is 67 feet (20 meters) above sea level by the River Witham. But it rises to 246 feet (75 meters) on Castle Hill. The city sits in a gap in the Lincoln Cliff, a long ridge of hills. The River Witham flows through this gap. Lincoln is about 55 miles (88 km) southwest of Hull and 32 miles (51 km) northeast of Nottingham.

Uphill and Downhill: Two Sides of Lincoln

Because of the different heights, Lincoln is informally split into two areas: "uphill" and "downhill."

The uphill area is the northern part of the city, on top of the Lincoln Cliff. This is where you'll find the historic quarter, including Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, and the Medieval Bishop's Palace. This area is often called The Bail. It also has residential areas to the north and northeast. The downhill area includes the city center and suburbs to the south and southwest. Steep Hill is a narrow, pedestrian street that connects the two areas. It passes through an archway called the Stonebow.

This division was once a big deal for social classes. Uphill was seen as more wealthy, and downhill less so. This idea started after the Norman conquest, when the religious and military leaders lived on the hilltop. However, as the city grew since the mid-1800s, this difference has become less important.

Wildlife in and Around Lincoln

The mute swan is a special bird for Lincoln. Many pairs nest by the Brayford Pool each year. You can even see them on the university's emblem. Other birds in the city include peregrine falcons, tawny owls, and common kingfishers.

On the edges of the city, you might spot red foxes, roe deer, and least weasels. Fish like European perch, northern pike, and bream live in the River Witham and Brayford Pool. Nature reserves near the city include Whisby Nature Park and Hartsholme Country Park.

Since 2016, little egrets have nested in the Birchwood area. Otters have also returned to the River Witham. Both these animals are native to Britain and are now coming back after almost disappearing.

However, some non-native plants and animals have also arrived in Lincoln. Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam are Asian plants found around the River Witham. American mink are sometimes seen on the Witham too.

Lincoln's Climate: What's the Weather Like?

Lincoln has a typical East Midlands climate. This means it has cool summers and mild winters. The nearest weather station is at RAF Waddington, about 4 miles (6 km) south of the city. Temperatures since 1948 have ranged from a high of 40.3°C (104.5°F) in July 2022 to a low of -15.6°C (3.9°F) in February 1956.

Getting Around Lincoln: Transport Links

Lincoln railway station

Train Travel in Lincoln

Lincoln railway station is a key meeting point for four railway lines. These lines connect Lincoln to Newark, Gainsborough, Grimsby, and Sleaford. You can catch direct trains to major cities like London King's Cross, Leicester, Nottingham, and Sheffield. Hykeham railway station is in the southwestern suburbs and serves local trains.

Roads Connecting Lincoln

The city is on the A57, A46, A15, and A158 roads. These roads bring a lot of traffic. To help with this, bypasses have been built. The A46 bypass, costing £19 million, opened in 1985. In December 2020, the £122 million A15 Eastern bypass was finished. A southern bypass is planned to start construction in 2025. This will complete a full ring road around the city.

Airports Near Lincoln

East Midlands Airport, 43 miles (69 km) from Lincoln, is the main international airport. It mostly handles European flights with budget airlines. Humberside Airport, 29 miles (47 km) north of Lincoln, is the only airport actually in the county. It has a few flights, mainly to larger hub airports like Amsterdam Schiphol.

Learning in Lincoln: Schools and Universities

Higher Education: Universities in Lincoln

Lincoln has two universities. The older one is Bishop Grosseteste University. It started in 1862 as a college for training teachers. In the 1990s, it began offering other subjects, especially in arts and drama. It became a university in 2012. Graduation ceremonies take place in Lincoln Cathedral.

The larger University of Lincoln started in 1996. It opened a campus next to Brayford Pool. The Lincoln School of Art and Design and Riseholme Agricultural College joined this university in 2001. The university's name changed to the University of Lincoln in 2002. In the 2021–2022 school year, 18,705 students studied at universities in the city.

Further Education: Colleges in Lincoln

Further education in Lincoln is provided by Lincoln College. It is Lincolnshire's largest education center, with 18,500 students. There is also Access Creative, a special college for music, media, and games design.

Schools for Young Learners

Former Lincoln Christ's Hospital Girls' High School, now occupied by Lincoln University Technical College

Lincoln's school system is a bit different from the rest of Lincolnshire. Most of the county still uses grammar schools.

The Priory Academy LSST became an academy in 2008. It then created The Priory Federation of Academies. This federation now includes several schools, like The Priory Witham Academy and The Priory City of Lincoln Academy. These schools were rebuilt with a lot of investment.

Lincolnshire's education authority was ranked 32nd in the country for its GCSE results. This means 62.2% of its students got at least 5 A–C grades, including maths and English.

There are also four special-needs schools in Lincoln. These schools help students with different learning needs.

Lincoln in the News: Media Outlets

The local newspaper is the Lincolnshire Echo, which started in 1894. For local radio, you can listen to BBC Radio Lincolnshire on 94.9 FM or Greatest Hits Radio Lincolnshire on 102.2 FM. There's also Lincoln City Radio on 103.6 FM, which is a community radio station.

The Linc is an online and print publication for students at the University of Lincoln.

Local TV news comes from BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and ITV Yorkshire. These are received from the Belmont TV transmitter. You can also get BBC East Midlands and ITV Central from the Waltham TV transmitter.

Sports in Lincoln: Get Active!

Sincil Bank, home of Lincoln City F.C.

Lincoln's professional football team is Lincoln City FC. They are nicknamed "The Imps" and play at the Sincil Bank stadium. In 2002, the team faced financial trouble. But fans raised money to save the club, and they now own it. Lincoln City was the first club to be moved out of the English Football League in 1987. However, they quickly returned.

Graham Taylor, who later managed the England national football team, started his managing career at Lincoln City from 1972 to 1977. During his time, the club won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1976. The club also won the Football League Division Three North title three times. In 2017, they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. More recently, Lincoln City won Football League Two in 2019 and the EFL Trophy in 2018.

Lincoln is also home to other football teams like Lincoln United FC and Lincoln Griffins Ladies FC.

The city hosts other sports too. There's the American football team, the Lincolnshire Bombers. You can also find the Lincolnshire Bombers Roller Girls and the Imposters Rollergirls. The Lincoln Rowing Centre is on the River Witham. Lindum Hockey Club plays in the north of the city. Since 1956, Lincoln has hosted the Lincoln Grand Prix, a one-day cycle race. This race includes the tough climb up Michaelgate. Since 2013, Lincoln has had a professional wrestling group and training academy. The Lincoln Lions rugby union team has been playing since 1902.

Famous People from Lincoln

Here are some notable people who have connections to Lincoln:

• Aaron of Lincoln (c. 1125–1186), a medieval Jewish financier.
• George Boole (1815–1864), a mathematician who created Boolean logic, was born in Lincoln.
• William Byrd (c. 1539–1623), a famous composer and organist at Lincoln Cathedral.
• John Hurt (1940–2017), a well-known actor, attended Lincoln School.
• Neville Marriner (1924–2016), a violinist and conductor, was born in Lincoln.
• Paul Palmer (born 1974), a swimmer who won an Olympic silver medal in 1996.
• Steve Race (1921–2009), a musician and broadcaster, was born in Lincoln.
• Charlotte Scott (1858–1931), a mathematician, was born in Lincoln.
• William Tritton (1875–1946), who helped develop the military vehicle, the tank.

Lincoln's International Friends: Twin Towns

Lincoln is twinned with several cities around the world. This means they have special friendly relationships.

• Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany (since 1969)
• Port Lincoln, Australia (since 1991)
• Radomsko, Poland (since 2007)
• Tangshan, China (since 1988)
• Nanchang, China (since 2014)

Freedom of the City

The "Freedom of the City" is a special honor given to individuals or military units. It means they are recognized for their service or connection to Lincoln.

Individuals Honored

• Lord Cormack: Honored on March 18, 2022.

Military Units Honored

• RAF Waddington: Honored on April 25, 1959.
• RAF Scampton: Honored on May 14, 1993.
• 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment: Honored in 1997.
• The Grenadier Guards: Honored on May 8, 2008.

Arms