Lincoln is a small city where the cathedral and castle sit on a hill above the older streets, with the modern university quarter and the railway and bus stations down on the flat ground beside the water. Most of what a visitor comes to see is within walking distance of the centre, so where you base yourself is mainly a question of how close you want to be to the historic core and whether you mind a climb.
For a visitor, the city divides into a handful of practical areas: the streets immediately around the cathedral and castle, the areas close to the stations and the university, and the edges of the city where more space and easier parking are the trade-off for a drive or a bus ride into the centre. This guide covers which of those areas suits which kind of trip, and what standard of accommodation you can expect at each level. It does not recommend individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Lincoln
1. Around the cathedral and castle
This is the historic heart of Lincoln, on the hill, with the cathedral and castle close together and the older streets running between them. Staying here puts the main sights on your doorstep and gives you the atmosphere of the old city in the evening once day visitors have gone.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to walk to the sights rather than travel to them. Accommodation here is mostly mid-range, in the form of small hotels and guest houses. The practical point to weigh is the hill: this area sits above the rest of the city, so expect slopes and steps between here and the lower town and stations.
2. Near the bus and railway stations
The area around the stations, on the flat ground south and east of the historic core, is the most convenient base if you are arriving by train or coach or plan to use public transport. Chain hotels and a budget hotel are found here, and the university's St Marks area, with short-stay self-catering rooms, is also on this side of the city.
It suits travellers without a car, those on a tighter budget, and anyone who values an easy arrival and departure over proximity to the cathedral. The trade-off is that you are below the hill, so reaching the cathedral and castle means a walk uphill or a bus.
3. Brayford Wharf and the waterfront
The north bank of the water, west of the stations, has a cluster of modern chain hotels within about a ten-minute walk of the station. It is a straightforward, comfortable base with the waterfront on hand.
This area suits visitors who want a predictable, modern place to stay and quick access to transport, and it works well for a short break. As with the station area, the historic core is uphill from here.
4. South of the centre
South of the city centre, along and off the main roads leading out, you find guest houses and bed and breakfasts in residential streets. These are quieter and often smaller than the hotels in the centre.
It suits budget and mid-range travellers who do not mind being a short bus ride or a fifteen-to-twenty-minute walk from the centre. Several bus routes serve this side of the city, so you are not dependent on walking everywhere.
5. The outskirts and countryside around Lincoln
Beyond the built-up area there are budget hotels at the service stations and roadside locations, countryside bed and breakfasts in converted farm buildings, and a pub with rooms on the Foss Dyke. There is also a caravan park and campsite with camping pods to the south-west, and self-contained cottage accommodation further out.
This suits travellers with a car, those who want space and quiet, and anyone combining a city visit with time in the surrounding area. The practical point is distance: these places are a drive or a bus ride from the centre, and some have restrictions such as minimum stays, no children or no dogs, so check before booking.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: chain budget hotels, including some on the outskirts and at service stations; short-stay self-catering rooms in the university's St Marks area; caravan and campsite pitches with camping pods at a council-run country park.
- Mid-range: the largest part of Lincoln's accommodation, including small hotels and guest houses near the cathedral and castle, chain hotels near the stations and the waterfront, and bed and breakfasts in residential streets south of the centre and in the surrounding countryside.
- Splurge: self-contained cottage accommodation in a plush inclusive retreat outside the city.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself around the cathedral and castle. It puts the city's main sights within walking distance and lets you experience the historic core in the quieter evening hours. The one thing to accept is the hill, which you will climb whenever you come up from the lower town or the stations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book ahead in Lincoln?
Yes, especially for busy weekends and big events at the Lincolnshire Showground. The city has long had fewer hotel rooms than its visitor numbers would suggest, so book early for those dates.
Where should I stay if I am arriving by train?
The area near the bus and railway stations, or Brayford Wharf just west of them, is the most convenient. Both are on the flat ground, with the historic core uphill from there.
Is Lincoln good for budget travellers?
There is less budget accommodation than in some comparable cities. Your options are mainly chain budget hotels, including some on the outskirts, short-stay self-catering rooms at the university, and a caravan park and campsite with camping pods.
Should I stay outside the city centre?
That depends on whether you have a car. The outskirts and surrounding countryside offer budget hotels, countryside bed and breakfasts and cottage accommodation, but you will need to drive or take a bus into the centre, and some places have minimum stays or age restrictions.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.