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Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Doddington Hall
Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Victorian Prison
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Stay in the heart of lovely Lincoln
Lincoln Castle and Cathedral
Doddington Hall & Gardens
Gainsborough Old Hall
Two talks from entertaining historian, Julian Humphrys
This tour explores one of England’s most under-rated medieval gems, Lincoln, in depth, looking at its Castle and Cathedral that offer a fascinating insight into medieval history, including the 800-year old Magna Carta. We will also visit Doddington Hall, an Elizabethan manor house and Gainsborough Old Hall, one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in England, all in the company of entertaining and inspiring historian, Julian Humphrys.
Available Departures |
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| 04 - August - 2025 | £ 765.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the White Hart Hotel, Lincoln from 15.00.
This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and a talk by Julian Humphrys, ‘Magna Carta and the battle of Lincoln’.
Day 2: Doddington Hall and Gainsborough Old Hall.
We head out of Lincoln today, first to the Elizabethan house and gardens, Doddington Hall, designed by leading Elizabethan architect, Robert Smythson, dating back to 1595 and still a much-loved, lived-in family home with stunning interiors and glorious gardens. Free time for lunch (not included) before we contine to Gainsborough Old Hall, built by Sir Thomas Burgh in 1460, the hall is over 500 years old and one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in England. Discover the history of an English market town throughout the hall's developments and experience it's rich and varied past including the Great Hall, winding corridors and the medieval kitchen. Dont miss the climb to the top of the tower for a great view across Lincolnshire (59 steps to the top!). This evening we have a second talk from Julian, ‘The English Civil War’ and dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Lincoln.
A full day exploring Lincoln on foot from our hotel in the very centre of the city. Our first visit is to the city’s magnificent Cathedral, which dates back to 1072 and was the tallest building in the world from 1311 until 1548. Next onto the Collection Museum, an award-winning archaeology museum in the city centre showcasing the history of the city. After free time for lunch (not included) we continue with a visit to Lincoln Castle, which underwent a £22m restoration project in 2010, just under a thousand years after it was built by William the Conqueror in 1068. Sights here include the medieval wall walk that offers lovely views of the city, its Victorian Prison and the 1215 Magna Carta. Magna Carta enshrined the principle that the king had to act within the rule of law and became one of the most celebrated documents in history with enduring worldwide influence. Julian will explain more. We finish the day with a short walking tour with Julian and an external view of the Medieval Bishops Palace. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 40 passengers.
Tour Grading: Please note this tour has been classed as Demanding due to the amount of walking involved. Day 2 is all undertaken on foot and includes a very steep walk to the museum. Walking tours of the attractions can take from 45-90 minutes all on foot, and involve steps. Please visit the mobility page of our website for further information, or contact our team if you have any questions prior to booking.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
White Hart Hotel, Lincoln
Located within the heart of Lincoln’s historic quarter with lovely views of the Cathedral, this traditional three-star hotel has undergone a renovation in 2023. The hotel offers a bar, “Grille” restaurant, bar and stylish, comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including TV, telephone, wifi, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Room upgrades to a deluxe twin or a superior king are available at a supplement.
Parking: The nearest carpark to the hotel is: Westgate 1 Car Park, Lincoln, LN1 3BG, which is a 3 minute walk to the hotel. This is a council run pay and display carpark, and costs £9.80 per 24 hours. Payment is via the carpark machine, or Pay by Phone App (location ID: 7845).
Your Guide
Julian Humphrys
Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, has worked at historical sites both in Britain and overseas and is now a trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has a very infectious enthusiasm for history and has published numerous books on castles and battles. He currently leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions and imparts his extraordinary historical knowledge with wit and panache, making a tour led by him both an educational and entertaining experience.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 26-September-2024
Review by Anonymous who travelled 26-September-2024
The visits were well-arranged, with plenty of time at Doddington and in the cathedral. Julian and Helene were both excellent. Unfortunately the White Hart let us down by prioritising noisy parties, so Friday dinner took ages and Saturday breakfast was chaotic. Overall very enjoyable.
Review by Lush who travelled 26-September-2024
Travel Editions feedback:
We are glad that you enjoyed the tour and thank you for your feedback. We will discuss your comments with the hotel as it this is disappointing to hear.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 26-September-2024
Another enjoyable tour with the knowledgeable and entertaining Julian Humphries.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 30-August-2023
Review by Anonymous who travelled 30-August-2023
We thoroughly enjoyed the content of the tour expertly delivered by Julian. The change in accommodation was disappointing but beyond your control. The service at dinner was extremely slow - probably short staffed. Making conversation whilst waiting to be served was difficult and tiring due to the high noise level; everyone shouting to be heard. After leaving the room our ears were ringing. We have today been looking for tours with fewer guests making less noise.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 30-August-2023
Very enjoyable. Speaker interesting and informative.
Review by Taylor who travelled 30-August-2023
All though having been on a couple of visits with my husband, being a new widow I felt very comfortable and met some interesting and like minded people. I would certainly recommend your company for individual travellers.
Review by Hutchison who travelled 30-August-2023
The food in the hotel was very good, but the lighting in the bedroom was very dim, even with every light on. The talks and visits were really enjoyable.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 30-August-2023
Excellent tour. Julian Humphrys is a great guide.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 30-August-2023
Lucky to have travelled by car as others experienced train disruption. Car parking was, however, expensive but convenient. Hotel position excellent and food very good but bedroom was a bit dark wih small window and poorish lighting. Really good administrator and lecturer/guide.
Review by Devriendt who travelled 30-August-2023
Review by Kilbourn who travelled 19-July-2023
Excellent as usual with Julian Humphrys - This man is a fountain of knowledge The only drawback was the change of hotel as we were looking forward to staying at the White Hart (not your fault)
Review by Hibberd who travelled 19-July-2023
Everything organised to a very high standard. Both guides were very informative and experienced. Hotel well situated. We thought Doddington Hall a highlight of the tour. Many thanks from the three of us.
Review by Fothergill who travelled 19-July-2023
I was conveyed to other centuries by the ability of the guide, historian Julian Humphrys, to breathe life into the past - and the present. An enchanting journey through time and place in the Lincolnshire summer - thank you. Thanks too, to the friendly and interesting fellow travellers and staff. Leonie, London.
Review by Morgan who travelled 19-July-2023
Review by Wright who travelled 19-July-2023
A very interesting short break, Julian was an excellent guide.
Review by Usher who travelled 19-July-2023
Another excellent trip foor which Julian should take a lot of credit
Review by Mitchell who travelled 19-July-2023
Mostly excellent; only minor gripe - hotel dinners rather disappointing.
Review by Benn who travelled 19-July-2023
car park had many pigeons
Review by Anonymous who travelled 17-August-2022
Review by Bessant who travelled 17-August-2022
All was excellent except my request for a non meat diet hadn’t seemingly reached the hotel. The kitchen readily changed my meal and the problem was for them rather than for me. Thank you.
Review by Roebuck who travelled 17-August-2022
Excellent location in the middle of Lincoln in historic hotel with parking nearby and easy to access. Very interesting guide to both the cathedral and castle, pointing out so many things we would not have noticed without the commentary from Julian.
Review by McCoy who travelled 17-August-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 17-August-2022
The tour met our expectations, Julian was excellent as always. We learnt so much about Lincoln and visited parts we had never seen before. Julian's warning about not using the covered parking area because of the pigeons should be given out with the joining instructions. Fortunately I parked out in the open when we arrived, but those inside suffered from copious pigeon droppings!
Review by Hudson who travelled 17-August-2022
Very enjoyable trip. The tour guide was excellent.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 13-July-2022
Our tour leader organised our visits well, giving key information in an entertaining manner but also allowing us time to explore the sights at our own pace and intensity. It was just the right balance. An enjoyable and interesting break.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 13-July-2022
The choice of hotel, with bedrooms overlooking Lincoln Cathedral, was really in keeping with the British history being examined during this short holiday. Julian's extensive knowledge was well marshalled and presented, and our only regret was there was so little time to cover the history and architecture in front of us.
Review by Waters who travelled 13-July-2022
Review by Flynn who travelled 13-July-2022
No ferry etc in this trip but coach to Newark fine. A very good trip with an excellent guide and lots of interest. Good hotel food aswell.
Review by Calverley who travelled 13-July-2022
Our lecturer/guide, Julian Humphrys, was excellent and achieved the perfect balance of providing detailed historical facts with humour. We had issues at our hotel - the toilet broke and was unusable; the bedside lamp broke and was unusable; our car was in the hotel carpark and the roof and windscreen were completely covered by pigeon poo and the hotel would not provide water or cloths to help remove it even though we couldn't see to drive - the car had to be jet washed to remove the mess.
Review by Soane who travelled 18-August-2021
There were problems with the food namely the menu we had been sent suggested a chocolate mousse. However it was white chocolate, something about which we should have been informed as my friend believed it was normal dark chocolate and she does not eat white chocolate. Also I was given a 'vegetarian' jelly. Jelly is not vegetarian. It is made from animal gelatine usually unless otherwise stated. Finally we arrived back late on Friday evening. In the morning I had wondered whether to order a taxi but since I did not know the time we would return I thought better of it when I spoke to the adviser at the desk. When we returned I was told that it is impossible to get a taxi at that time in Lincoln because it was Friday night. I believe both the company and the hotel advisor had a duty to inform me of this problem. Without the assistance of our guide we would have been stranded at the hotel. I hope you will take this on board for other clients.
Review by Neslen who travelled 18-August-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2021
Lovely hotel and location and Staff were lovely, despite some minor issues:- First day breakfast was very slow due to staff shortage, but they did try hard and other 2 days were fine; Rooms at front were very noisy from the street (esp from guests at other events there standing outside hotel front at all hours chatting loudly); Car park was useful, but very run down and some cars had a big problem with pigeon mess! Julian very good and entertaining and enjoyed the site visits.
Review by Thrussell who travelled 18-August-2021
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2021
Such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide ! Marvellous.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2021
I was enchanted by Lincoln - a superb destination and a must for history nuts. Julian Humphrys' talks were, as always, excellent, and delivered with his customary humour. The hotel dealt well with the inevitable staff shortages and the food was delicious.
Review by Hulbert who travelled 18-August-2021
Very good tour, good central hotel although the hotel could do with some minor attention to it, but the location more than compensates for it.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 18-August-2021
First time travelling with travel editions and I was more than satisfied with the tour . A very interesting itinerary well planned and with lots of free time in the schedule to do your own thing . Juilian and Mick where professional ,efficient but warm and friendly at the same time . The hotel was in an excellent position with parking such a bonus . Modern clean and well managed all be it the dinners took almost 3 hours from receiving the starters to dessert . This was the hotels problem not traveleditions. Not sure why this was as we had all 36 pre ordered our meals . Maybe something to do with COVID . I would be interested to know the reason . But it did nt deter from an interesting and well planned tour . Julians talks were given with enthusiasm and humour making the places we saw come to life . Thank you all for arranging the trip . Am busy planning my next break with you .
Review by Humphreys who travelled 14-July-2021
Very well run tour with an excellent tour manager and guide. Julian Humphrys was a very knowledgeable guide with a terrific sense of humour and despite Covid restrictions the tour was very well managed. We both had a very enjoyable time in both Lincoln and Newark.
Review by Johnson who travelled 14-July-2021
Always a pleasure to be with Julian, his enthusiasm is infectious and the Tour Manager, Michael, handled without a hitch, all the dividing into groups, to comply with social distancing, making sure everyone knew where they were going and what time to be back. - Excellent work, Michael.
Review by Wallburton who travelled 14-July-2021
An excellent opportunity to discover a cathedral city unknown to me before the visit. I was appreciative of the choice of a hotel close to the cathedral and the castle. It was a pity that service in the restaurant for dinner was so slow, particularly as all food choices from the menu had been made well beforehand.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 14-July-2021
Review by Morfey who travelled 14-July-2021
Julian is great
Review by Gibbons who travelled 14-July-2021
