Public Transport
Finding Your Way
Getting Access to Churches
Setting the Scene - Lincoln
The Trail - Section 1
Stage 1. Lincoln to Washingborough
Stage 2. Washingborough to Branston
Stage 3. Branston to Potterhanworth
Stage 4. Potterhanworth to Nocton
Stage 5. Nocton to Dunston
Stage 6. Dunston to Metheringham
The Trail - Section 2
Stage 1. Metheringham to Blankney
Stage 2. Blankney to Scopwick
Stage 3. Scopwick to Digby
Stage 4. Digby to Dorrington
Stage 5. Dorrington to Ruskington
Stage 6. Ruskington to Sleaford
History | The Route
Section 1 - Stage 1
Lincoln to Washingborough
For generations Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the mediaeval world! And if the Spires & Steeples walk had existed two centuries ago it would have begun in the shadow of two mighty spires on the cathedral's twin west towers. They were removed in 1807, a storm having already destroyed one of the central towers in 1548. Even so without the spires the towers stand at 82.8 metres high - the spires added almost another 100 metres - the west front remains splendidly impressive. The first cathedral was built by Bishop Remigius, who was appointed by William the Conqueror, but that was largely destroyed by fire in 1141 and rebuilt only to be levelled in 1185 by an earthquake. Bishop Hugh's subsequent rebuilding in the Early English style remains largely what we see today.
The Spires & Steeples trail begins through the nearby Exchequer Gate (circa 1320). The houses on the right within the Minster Yard are known as the "Number Houses" for they were the first in the city to have street numbers. Immediately through the gate is our first church and its dedication, "St Mary Magdalene with St Paul in the Bail and
St Michael on the Mount". This must surely be the longest in the land. St Mary's original site is probably under the cathedral and the first church here dated from the late C13th but was virtually destroyed in the Civil War; it was restored in 1693 and again by the Victorians.
We are now on Castle Hill (actually a square) with Lincoln Castle dominating the far end and although occupying a Roman site it mostly dates from 1068. However the Victorian prison inside has an extraordinary and unique chapel and an exhibition and interpretive display contains an original copy of the 1215 Magna Carta.
Descending Steep Hill we pass first the Norman House on the left (often, as a plaque reminds us, wrongly referred to as Aaron the Jews house) which dates from circa 1170 and lower down still is the Jew's Court; again early mediaeval and formerly a synagogue or schoolroom.
The walk then passes "The Collection", Lincoln's new county history museum and art gallery, opened in 2005. (Admission is free.)
Further down, Flaxengate we pass the Drill Hall (1890), now a thriving performance venue with a large metal sculpture over the entrance, based on a Commedia dell'arte mask by Rick Kirby. At the bottom of Flaxengate is St Swithin's, (our first spire) the winning design by Louth architect James Fowler in an 1868 competition; all grandiose Victorian Neo-Gothic it took eighteen years (1869 to 1887) to build.
Next comes City Square and the River Witham where arching over the water is the gleaming millennium sculpture "Empowerment" by Stephen Broadbent. We then begin to head out of the city past Stamp End Lock, built in the 1770s at the point where formerly tolls had been collected at a chain strung across the river. The original lock was renewed in 1812.
Stamp End once contained boat-building yards, but from the 1840s, it rapidly developed as the nucleus of Lincoln's world renowned engineering industry. Clayton and Shuttleworth, perhaps Lincoln's most successful engineering company, opened their Titanic Iron Works here in 1842 and their business rivals were such household names as Robeys and Rustons who also had factories close to the river and the newly arrived railways. Many of these old factories are now demolished, but it is still possible to see the architectural evidence of Lincoln's former engineering might.
From Stamp End the route follows the Water Rail Way (WRW), the new long distance cycle and walkway to Boston. Where this starts is the "Lincoln Stump" a creative
observation platform, and a partner piece to Boston Stump also by Paul Robbrect at the other end of the WRW, and worth climbing for the river views. The WRW has found a new use for a former railway known as the "Lincolnshire Loop Line" opened by the Great Northern railway in 1848 as part of their main line from London to the north. However its status was short lived for in 1852 the present main line, the "Towns Line" via Grantham, was opened.
Near Washingborough the Lincoln to Sleaford railway, which we shall see again several times during the walk is visible on our right. This was opened by the Great Northern & Great Eastern Joint Railway Company in 1882; also just before Washingborough station is the massive, derelict bridge of the Lincoln "avoiding" line (also 1882). In July 1940 Washingborough was the first "Loop Line" station to close. Prior to the railway there had been a pier here for river packet steamers and a working ferry survived until about 1960.
Before leaving the river spend a moment on the riverbank looking back towards Lincoln for the distant city and cathedral form the view immortalised by the famous C19th landscape artist Peter de Wint. As you enter Chapel Park look out for the cast metal panels, part of the Village's own village trail and the carved Owl on the wall of the old chapel, a partner piece to the large bench further down the road by Jason Thompson.
Walkers with a copy of NKDC's "In View" arts booklet will be able to locate several outdoor art installations in the village. There are cast relief panels at the four entrance roads by Sheila Jessop and we have already seen the carved owl by Jason Thompson at Chapel Park. A short walk from outside the church will enable you to visit the others.
DISTANCE : 3 3/4 miles : 6.0 kilometres
REFRESHMENTS : Many options in Lincoln city.
Ferry Boat, Washingborough.
Hunters Leap, Washingborough.
NOTES. Parking is available in Lincoln at various locations in both the upper and lower city. The station is in St Mary's Street (off High Street - GR976709). The bus station is in Norman Street, an extension of St Mary's Street. Washingborough has a village trail leaflet.
The Route
From the front of the cathedral walk through the Exchequer Gate and turn left down Steep Hill. Opposite Jew's Court bear left along Danes Terrace to reach "The Collection" and there bear right down Flaxengate, crossing both Clasketgate and Silver Street. Proceed down Freeschool Lane and on reaching St Swithin's bear slightly right across Saltergate into a lane leading down to the River Witham. Cross by the footbridge to turn left along Waterside South, using another footbridge to negotiate the dual carriageway. Continue along Waterside south, until at the end of the final car park beyond Stamp End and Beech House, the Water Rail Way commences.
Follow this for just under two miles to Washingborough old station. There turn right across the South Delph (drain) into Ferry Lane and in a few yards take the signed footpath to the left. This soon bears right through Chapel Park to meet the B1190 road in Washingborough. Turn left and after 200 metres or so cross into High Street and walk up to the small green with its welcoming seats outside St John the Evangelist's churchyard.
DetourGo down Oak Hill (by the "Hunters Leap"), bear right into Pen Fold Lane, and continue down School Lane to its junction with Park Lane and the main B1190 road. Turn right there for the Longstongs and the Owl Bench. Just beyond this is the community centre and the mosaic panel. (Inside there is a tapestry parish map and two photo installations - but phone 01522 - 790109 in advance to gain access.) There is another mosaic panel and painted village map at the Park Lane shopping centre so returning that way will conveniently link to the next stage of the walk to Branston. Of the four cast panels at the entrances to the village the nearest to the trail is at the crossroads just west of Pits Woods, Washingborough. (GR022700)
artworks symbols
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