A buzzing, university city with ancient origins, what will first strike any visitor to Lincoln is the sight of the magnificent, medieval Lincoln Cathedral. It was considered “the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles” by John Ruskin – and the prize winners will spend a night in the Lincoln Hotel, just a short walk away from this remarkable building.
A free tour of the cathedral is included as part of the prize package, giving the winners the chance to see its soaring gothic spires, arches, and asymmetrical vaulting, as well as spotting the famous Lincoln Imp – a grotesque carved figure that sits high up on one of the interior walls. The mischievous creature has become a symbol of the city and has even given its name to a locally produced sausage and inspired a local beer, aptly named Cheeky Imp.
Lincoln Cathedral also owns an original 1215 Magna Carta – one of only a few in the world, which is on permanent loan to Lincoln Castle, the other Norman edifice dominating the city’s skyline. Inside the castle, the original 1215 Magna Carta can be seen alongside the 1217 Charter of the Forest, a document ensuring the right for all to have free access to common land. The castle also incorporates a vast medieval defensive wall that can be walked for a third of a mile, affording spectacular views of both the city and the sweeping Lincolnshire countryside. Hartsholme Country Park lies just three miles outside Lincoln for those who want to do more than look at nature from afar.
Centuries-old houses crowd the streets around the cathedral, castle and Uphill area, while pretty Steep Hill, named Britain’s Great Street in 2012, has a host of independent shops selling books, vintage clothes and local produce. But Lincoln is not all about the past. Its student population ensures it has a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Of the city’s population of just over 99,000, more than 17,000 are students. The university is an integral part of the city, having close links with local industry and producing world-leading research. The University of Lincoln was named the Modern University of the Year in the most recent Good University Guide and offers a vast range of courses across the humanities and arts, science and business.
“We’re incredibly proud to have the University of Lincoln in the city,” says Charlotte Goy, chief executive of Visit Lincoln. “Students make our local community even richer and bring an energy that ripples throughout city life. By working together with the university, Lincoln has been crowned one of the safest and friendliest cities in the country, a badge we wear with pride.”
This young, gregarious population can be seen in the city’s wealth of restaurants, bars and pubs. Lincoln was recently rated one of the top 10 UK cities for alfresco dining and drinking – a bonus for those who have preferred socialising outside during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Jews House is one of the city’s most popular, high-end restaurants, while plenty of small independent eateries can be found clustered in the cathedral quarter. The area around the old Corn Hill Exchange has also developed in recent years, now having a wide choice of places to eat, drink and shop. Not surprisingly, there are plenty of historic pubs in the city, including the Adam and Eve, reputed to be Lincoln’s oldest tavern, the Cardinal’s Hat and the Morning Star near the cathedral.
Many students head for The Engine Shed, Lincoln’s largest live music and entertainment venue, which hosts comedy gigs, concerts and club nights, and is on the university campus in Brayford Pool, Lincoln’s ancient harbour. The university’s presence has inspired redevelopment of this area, with the waterfront being another spot for cafes, bars and restaurants, including a rooftop bar – The Electric – overlooking the water.
Back in the historic centre, those who win the draw will be able to enjoy brunch, lunch or afternoon tea at Stokes Tea and Coffee as part of their prize. Stokes is a Lincoln institution, roasting and serving what many consider to be the best coffee in town. Occupying a historic building that dates back to 1540, Stokes sits in a unique position on the High Bridge over the river Witham. Also included in the weekend away are vouchers worth almost £200, which the winners can spend in the city’s Waterside shopping centre.
To enter the competition fill in the form below.
Terms and conditions
1 The University of Lincoln prize draw (the “Prize Draw”) is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over.
2 The Prize Draw is not open to employees or agencies of Guardian News & Media Limited (“GNM” or the “Promoter”), their group companies or family members, freelance contributors to GNM, or anyone else connected to the Prize Draw.
3 Entrants into the Prize Draw shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions.
4 To enter the Prize Draw you must fill out the attached form/fields with your full name and email address. No purchase is necessary. If you have any questions about how to enter or otherwise in connection with the Prize Draw, please email us at laura.haines@theguardian.com with “University of Lincoln Prize Draw” in the subject line.
5 Only one entry per person. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed. You are responsible for the cost (if any) of sending your Prize Draw entry to us. The winner shall be the owner of the email address from which the selected winning entry is sent.
6 GNM accepts no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt by GNM.
7 The Prize Draw opens on Wednesday 14 July and closes at 23:59 on Sunday 15 August. Entries received outside this time period will not be considered.
8 The winner will receive a one-night stay for two people at the Lincoln Hotel with complimentary breakfast, a tour of Lincoln Cathedral and brunch, lunch or afternoon tea for two to the value of £30 at Lincoln’s Stokes Tea and Coffee. Prize winners will also receive vouchers to the value of almost £200 to spend in Lincoln’s Waterside shopping centre. Only one winner per household. GNM accepts no responsibility for any costs associated with the prize that are not expressly included in the prize.
9 The winner will be selected by way of a random draw from all entries received in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The draw will take place on or after Monday 16 August.
10 The winner will be notified by email on or after Monday 16 August and given details of how to claim their prize. If a winner does not respond to GNM within 14 days of being notified of their win, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above (and that winner will have to respond to notification of their win within 14 days or else they will also forfeit their prize). If a winner rejects their prize or the entry is invalid or in breach of these terms, the winner’s prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner.
11 The prize will be sent to the winner within two weeks of their acceptance.
12 The name and county of the winner can be obtained after Monday 30 August by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the following address: Laura Haines, The Guardian Labs, Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.
13 The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and not redeemable for cash or any other prize.
14 GNM reserves the right to substitute the prize with an alternative prize of similar value in the event that the original prize offered is not available.
15 The winner may be required to take part in promotional activity related to the Prize Draw and the winner shall participate in such activity on the Promoter’s reasonable request. The winner consents to the use by the Promoter and its related companies, both before and after the closing date of the Prize Draw for an unlimited time, of the winner’s voice, image, photograph and name for publicity purposes (in any medium, including still photographs and films, and on the internet, including any websites hosted by the Promoter and its related companies) and in advertising, marketing or promotional material without additional compensation or prior notice and, in entering the Prize Draw, all entrants consent to the same.
16 The Promoter shall use and take care of any personal information you supply to it as described in its privacy policy, a copy of which can be seen at theguardian.com/help/privacy-policy, and in accordance with data protection legislation. By entering the Prize Draw, you agree to the collection, retention, usage and distribution of your personal information in order to process and contact you about your Prize Draw entry, and for the purposes outlined in paragraph 12 above.
17 GNM accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the Prize Draw or accepting the prize. GNM further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to your or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the Prize Draw. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude the liability of GNM under law for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for death or personal injury resulting from its negligence.
18 GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Prize Draw with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its reasonable control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud). The decision of GNM in all matters relating to the Prize Draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
19 GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations relating to this Prize Draw where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.
20 The Prize Draw and these Terms and Conditions will be governed by English law and entrants to the Prize Draw submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
21 Promoter: Guardian News & Media Limited, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU.
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