Lincoln Cathedral’s first phase of a £16m development to bring new visitor facilities to one of Europe’s finest Gothic buildings has finally been revealed.
A new café and shop have opened their doors in a new visitor centre within the Cathedral’s historic Old Deanery, overlooking the newly landscaped Dean’s Green – which is also now open to the public for the first time in decades.
The shop and café – along with a suite of community meeting rooms – are the first facilities to open in the new visitor centre, and will be followed by a learning suite, discovery centre and exhibition gallery later in the year.
Once the whole centre opens, visitors will be able to see displays of some of the Cathedral’s many treasures, including some unearthed during the major construction and renovation works.
The Cathedral is a spectacular and iconic landmark that has been standing over the city of Lincoln for centuries and was the tallest building in the world for over 200 years. Set within cobbled streets in Lincoln’s historic heart, it is one of two Norman gems that stand opposite each other across a picturesque square.
Just steps from the Cathedral lies Lincoln Castle, built more than 950 years ago, and today home to the Magna Carta Vault, containing one of only four surviving original Magna Carta from 1215, a Victorian Prison and spectacular views across the city from the Medieval Wall Walk.
Now the Cathedral is set to offer visitors a new look for 2021.
The new cafe offers a range of light lunches and tasty treats, while the shop is housed in a new contemporary space in the revamped visitor centre. Long popular with visitors, the shop has been given a boutique look and an entrance direct from the Dean’s Green.
Several new product lines have also been unveiled for the launch, including unique Lincoln Cathedral branded beers from the local Ferry Ales Brewery and a bespoke range of Sophie Allport items created exclusively for the Cathedral.
Work started in 2018 on the project to improve the visitor experience, with the new Visitor Centre facilities on the site of the former 19th century Deanery attached to the Cathedral Cloisters. A new link building connects the Deanery to the Cloister.
The cafe will open daily from 9am to 5pm and the shop from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
For more details about visiting Lincoln Cathedral, visit https://lincolncathedral.com
For general information about visiting Lincolnshire, see www.visitlincolnshire.com
Photo: Chris Vaughan, Lincoln Cathedral