History & Heritage

Shades of Lincoln’s strategic and economic importance during the reign of William the Conqueror are apparent throughout historical Lincoln Castle. For over 900 years the Castle has served as a court and prison, the latter being one of the first to use the ‘Pentoville System’. This form of incarceration excluded any form of interaction between the prisoners and is most evident in the foreboding coffin-like pews of the Chapel. One of the last surviving Magna Cartas, now nearly 800 years old is housed in a darkened room within Lincoln Castle. Outside of the castle walls, the grounds are an open air arena for concerts, theatre performances and battle re-enactments.