Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral, properly the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, was founded in 1072 under Bishop Remigius and rebuilt in the Gothic style after fire and a damaging earthquake in 1185. For more than two centuries after its central spire was completed around 1311 it is generally regarded as having been the tallest building in the world, until that spire collapsed in 1548. Its west front, soaring nave and famous 13th-century Angel Choir make it one of the greatest medieval buildings in England, and it holds one of the surviving original copies of Magna Carta.

A cathedral of this age naturally accumulates legend. The celebrated Lincoln Imp — a small carved grotesque in the Angel Choir — is tied to a folk tale of a demon turned to stone, while visitors and guides sometimes describe shadowy figures, robed shapes and cold spots in the cloisters and older chapels. These reports are anecdotal, and the cathedral itself presents them as tradition rather than fact.

The more compelling story here is documented: nine centuries of worship, architecture and craftsmanship, and a genuine constitutional treasure in Magna Carta. Lincoln rewards visitors who come for its history and artistry, with the ghostly lore as a minor and uncertain footnote.

Lincoln Cathedral is a working Anglican cathedral cared for by its Dean and Chapter, welcoming both worshippers and visitors. General sightseeing usually requires a paid admission ticket, which supports the building's upkeep, while those attending services are welcome without charge; guided floor and tower tours are offered at additional cost and opening hours vary seasonally.

As an active place of worship and a major heritage site, visitors are asked to move quietly, respect services in progress and follow stewards' guidance, particularly when tours access the roof spaces, tower or more fragile areas of the building.