Lincoln Cathedral
A masterwork of English Gothic architecture and the seat of the bishop of Lincoln, this cathedral witnessed centuries of construction and rebuilding, from its Norman origins through the Perpendicular period.
At a glance
Lincoln Cathedral stands as the fourth largest cathedral in the United Kingdom by floor area, at approximately 5,000 m². The structure displays successive phases of the Gothic style and remains a pivotal monument of English ecclesiastical architecture.
History
Bishop Remigius de Fécamp founded the cathedral in 1072, transferring his episcopal seat from Dorchester on Thames to Lincoln. The initial building was completed by 1092, establishing the cathedral’s Norman foundations.
A devastating earthquake in 1185 severely damaged the structure. Rather than abandon it, successive generations undertook an extended campaign of reconstruction and enhancement. Over the following centuries, the cathedral evolved through distinct phases of the Gothic style—Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular—each layer reflecting the architectural aspirations of its era.
What you see
The cathedral’s architecture reveals its long history in stone. Early English work appears alongside the more elaborate tracery of the Decorated period and the soaring lines of Perpendicular design. The building’s substantial floor area—roughly 50,000 square feet—allowed for the ambitious spatial compositions characteristic of late medieval cathedral design.
Cultural significance
Victorian critic John Ruskin pronounced Lincoln Cathedral “out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles,” ranking it above all other British cathedrals combined. The building serves as the mother church of the diocese of Lincoln and remains governed by its dean and chapter.
The cathedral’s historical importance extends beyond architecture: it housed one of only four surviving copies of the original Magna Carta, now displayed at nearby Lincoln Castle.
Key facts
- Location: Lincoln, United Kingdom
- Coordinates: 53.23°N, 0.54°W
- Founded: 1072 by Bishop Remigius de Fécamp
- Completed: 1092
- Major damage: 1185 earthquake
- Floor area: approximately 5,000 m² (50,000 ft²)
- Status: Grade I listed building
Practical information & getting there
Lincoln Cathedral is located in the city center of Lincoln, England. The building remains an active Anglican cathedral and is open to visitors. Check locally for current opening hours and any access restrictions before your visit.
Sources & resources
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