Roaming with the Romans.

This weekend there is a big Roman theme in Lincoln. They have just published a new guide and an app. and the weekend was to help publicise it. There was a free walk around the lower area of the city rather than the upper area around the castle and cathedral. About 25 people arrived and the guide was very good and full of facts. We started by St Swithens Church and found a Roman Altar in the Church of that name. We then walked along the line of the southern wall and learned that the Braydon Pool was wider and the River Witham was wide and sluggish with islands and mud flats. I also learned that Lincoln was Lindum in the Roman era. Once the Romans had become established and the frontier had moved north the town of Lindum became very prosperous. Eventually the authorities made it a Colonia. This meant that it had the highest status of city and in England there was Lincoln, Colchester, York and Glouchester. The Colonia is remembered in Lincoln and Colchester. Legioaires who had completed their time in the army were given land in the area and every citizen of the city was a Roman citizen and they governed themselves. The hope was that they would settle down and spread prosperity whilst being a sort of reserve army and a means of better supply for the rest of the standing forces.

Part of West Gate in the Roman wall. It was discovered when the city hall was being built.

We finished the tour at the collections museum and spent an hour looking round there before ascending Steep Hill to the top and round the back of the castle to find a pub that the guide had recommended. The Strugglers Inn. The sign had a man going to the gallows so possibly that is where it was named from. It was a lovely pub and I tried a Decadence by Brewers. We then moved round the corner to the Victoria for something to eat. At the Batemans pub I tried their seasonal Oat Meal Biscuit beer which had Horlicky tinge to it. No unpleasant but not my favourite. I also had a Batemans Yellabelly Gold and was very nice. The pork and apple sandwich was very nice and welcome too.

We had been to Lincoln before but had only really done the hotspots. On this tour and our walkabout we had found that there are several areas of the central city and they all have their character. Up on the hill around the back of the castle it is very quite with varied and interesting buildings. Just near the pubs was The Lawns that used to be a Mental Hospital. It is now a conference Centre etc. There is a conservatory in the grounds that had giant koi swimming about. On a day like this it was very hot in there.

Koi in the Joseph Banks Conservatory. Joseph Banks of the Captain Cook Expedition was a local boy.

The Lawns Mental Hospital.

Interesting house in the shadow of the castle wall on Union Road opposite The Lawns complex.

The view from the top of the hill was spectacular and must have been even better in Roman times.

 From the top of Motherby Hill

We descended back down to the lower city and under the none Roman Gateway that now houses the Guildhall and Stonebow. It has been in use since 1520. Our guide had told us there are tours on Friday and Saturday so we will have to see if we can get on them when we pass by on the way back to the Trent.

The Licoln Guidehall and Stonebow.

We then found a Sargents icecream stall and had to stop. When ever we came south of the Humber we called at Hibaldstowe to get a brillaint Sargents but they closed several years ago. We learned that they are now back and in Barton on Humber which is closer to where we live. It was then back to the boat for a cup of tea and a sit in the sun.

Our moorings in Lincoln.