Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace

Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace

Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace
4
Historic SitesArchitectural Buildings
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Standing almost in the shadow of Lincoln cathedral, with sweeping views over the ancient city and the countryside beyond, the medieval bishops’ palace was once among the most important buildings in the country. The administrative centre of the largest diocese in medieval England, stretching from the Humber to the Thames, its architecture reflected enormous power and wealth. Explore the site as part of a day out in Lincoln. Guided by our audio tour, see the undercrofted East Hall and also the chapel range and entrance tower built by Bishop William Alnwick, who modernised the palace in the 1430s. Relax and enjoy the unique contemporary Heritage Garden, a haven of peace and tranquility
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles313 reviews
Excellent
119
Very good
131
Average
50
Poor
9
Terrible
4

Shirley E
Dronfield, UK381 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Solo
The palace has recently been restored after being closed for ages. You can just wander around on your own. It was really interesting. There are good views from the top of the tower. The vineyard has been recreated with special imported vines. If you take binoculars you’ll get a good view of the peregrines on the cathedral as the palace is right next door. I managed to park easily, there was lots of on street free parking at the back of the cathedral. No refreshments though, had to walk past the cathedral to find a coffee shop.
Written August 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SandraDu
Cupar, UK111 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Couples
This is the palace of the person who used to be the richest and most important of Lincoln's citizens. It has changed over the centuries and is now in ruins, but there is still lots to see and learn about. Unfortunately, it is open for only half the week, so it's necessary to plan! Staff recommend that you begin the tour by touring the various areas of the ruins, but we felt we would have preferred to start with the excellent video (which takes about 15 minutes).
Written June 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MrAndrewHaynes
London, UK447 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Couples
English Heritage audioguides are free, once you have paid the admission fee, and are generally excellent. But I was disappointed by the audioguide at Lincoln’s medieval bishops’ palace. Despite a boast that it is an award-winner, it seems inferior to those I have used at other EH sites. The basic historical information is fine, but the audioguide is bedevilled by naff monologues supposedly presented by a medieval monk, with the tasteless text recited by a Derek Jacobi impersonator.

Nevertheless, the palace is worth a visit — if only for the views across the city to the countryside beyond. You should pick up an audioguide, but you may prefer simply to rely on the information panels spread around the site.
Written April 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robin042042
London, United Kingdom262 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Solo
Check opening hours for the winter. English Heritage's attitude that tourism only occurs in the summer time is increasingly outdated and damages the local economy during the winter months.
Written March 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

938fjg
Ulverston, UK1,846 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2017 • Couples
We visited Lincoln to see the cathedral and the palace. It was however shut due to conservation work and it does say that on the EH website.
However,knowing how long it takes to get planning permission I think that EH could have put the closed pending renovation notice up long before they did.
The staff in the visitors centre which is still open were very friendly and you can visit the tower though not climb to the top due to H&S so the views are somewhat limited especially due to the tall trees.
Written October 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emily M
Menorca, Spain72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016 • Couples
The Bishops' Palace is, somehow, hidden away in the midst of everything! I've been to Lincoln a number of times but never knew this was here. In the shadow of the mighty Lincoln Cathedral, this small site is a haven of peace and historical significance. It's a smallish site with a series of rooms and walls in varying states of ruin, and a garden and vineyard that looks out over the edge of the hillside in spectacular fashion. There are a number of information boards dotted about describing what the various sections of the site were used for, but the main highlight is the excellent audio guide (award-winning, apparently) which is engaging, informative and easy to follow. The site has an interesting history as the home to the bishops of Lincoln from the early Middle Ages and received royal visitors including Henry VIII and Catherine Howard. What's more, standing within its walls and looking up at the towering cathedral at the top of the hill gave my hubby and I a whole new perspective on a much more well-known landmark. Definitely give it a visit!
Written October 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ascribe
102 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Solo
This is an English Heritage building and another wonderful place to visit. There is a shop and a WC. An iGuide is available and very helpful. Not really for people with severe mobility issues as there are steps and uneven ground, I just managed it going slowly and with a walking stick. However, if you can do it it's another place to take your time and feel the history. The little gardens and views are amazing. It's very close to the cathedral and castle so convenient on the hop on, hop off buses as the pick up and drop off by the cathedral.
Written June 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roland D
London, UK1,225 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Business
If I were not an English Heritage Member and, therefore, able to enter for free, I would have been annoyed to pay over £5 to see some very unremarkable ruins. There is one building in which you can go, but the rooms are unfurnished and there is little by way of explanation of what you are looking at or what you might be looking for. There are some display boards in various parts of the site, although some need replacing as they were difficult to read - or at least they should have the bird droppings wiped off them… There is an acousti-guide but you have to hold it to your ear, which becomes very uncomfortable, very quickly.

Even if you are an English Heritage Member, if time is limited, given this "attraction" a miss.
Written May 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

andrewnb
Rye, UK354 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Couples
While the palace is mostly ruined there is a wealth of information about it, and its evolution, on signboards and a comprehensive audio guide (though I could have done without the acted monk!). Some fascinating history, and great views both back up to the cathedral and from the gardens, now partly replanted with vines, across the Witham valley. Worth a short detour if you are visiting the cathedral. The palace is managed by English Heritage; the staff are welcoming and very helpful.
Written May 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve C
Birmingham, UK302 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2015 • Couples
We nearly missed this little gem and only just caught sight of the English Heritage logo as we walked past. It offers a very interesting audio guide of the substantial ruins and it is worth visiting just to see the beautifully restored gardens.
Written April 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace

Lincoln Medieval Bishops' Palace is open:
  • Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM