Medieval Bishops’ Palace
"The Medieval Bishops' Palace is situated in the shadow of the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral and is a little known gem hidden away from public view."
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The Medieval Bishops’ Palace is situated in the shadow of the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral and is a little known gem hidden away from public view.
It dates back to the 11th Century when, on the orders of William the Conqueror, the country’s largest ecclesiastical diocese was transferred from Dorchester to Lincoln.
The newly appointed Bishop of Lincoln needed a grand residence in which to live and ordered the building of a palace on the terraced slopes overlooking the city of Lincoln.
This Medieval Bishops’ Palace reflected the wealth and power of subsequent Bishops of Lincoln.
During the English Civil War, Lincoln was loyal to the king and came under prolonged attack from Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads. This became known as the Siege of Lincoln, during which both the cathedral and bishop’s palace were badly damaged and looted.
The Medieval Bishops’ Palace fell into a state of disrepair from which it never recovered.
The Medieval Bishops’ Palace Today
Today, the Medieval Bishops’ Palace is owned by English Heritage. Several parts of the palace still survive, including the West Hall (built by Bishop Hugh, Lincoln’s most famous bishop), the Chapel and Alnwick Tower (a gatehouse built in the 1430s by Bishop William Alnwick).
A series of exhibitions are held in the Alnwick Tower throughout the year.
The Heritage Gardens, with their very own vineyard, are a beautiful and serene place to relax and take in the magnificence of your surroundings.
Audio tours of the medieval palace are available.
Events
| Vineyard Guided Tours | Vineyard Guided Tours are held every Sunday throughout October and run three times a day, at 11am, 1pm & 3pm.Learn not just about the palace’s vineyard, but also about the history of the Medieval Bishops’ Palace itself.Do take a guided tour if you possibly can.For more information, please click here: Vineyard Guided Tours. |
| Medieval Christmas Market | The Medieval Christmas Market is held on the same dates as the world-famous Lincoln Christmas Market.Browse through market stalls selling a wide range of medieval fare!For more information, please click here: Medieval Christmas Market |
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