Lincoln Castle and Prison with Dennis and Sandra

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We’re off to Prison with Dennis and Sandra – the Victorian Prison inside Lincoln Castle.

We set off just after 9am and enjoyed a strangely uneventful journey north – even the A1 was quiet! 🤔

This is our 19th cultural day out together with our friends since we started these back in February, 2017.

So far…

Nottingham Castle (June 2025)
Wollaton Hall (October 2024)
Nottingham City (May 2024)
Doddington Hall (December 2023)
International Bomber Command (September 2023)
Southwell (March 2023)
Chatsworth House (November 2022)
Belvoir Castle (August 2022)
Kedlestone Hall (May 2021)
Hardwick Hall (August 2020)
Castle Howard (December 2019)
The Royal Armouries Museum (March 2019)
Bolsover Castle (October 2018)
Belton House (May 2018)
York (February 2018)
Burghley House (October 2017)
Hull (May 2017)
Leeds (February 2017)

First Stop

10.55am: We all arrived around the same time and stopped off at the nearest coffee shop for a quick catch-up. A great cappuccino and a great craic! 😋

The Prison

Let the culture-fest commence! 👍👍

As part of Lincoln Castle (built in 1068 by William the Conqueror), the Prison was constructed in 1788, but it was the Victorians who made most use of it! It is therefore typical of that period, where having a strong moral compass was a given, if you weren’t to end up behind bars – or worse! 😯

In its brutal way, men, women and children as young as eight were held here from 1848 to 1878 for crimes ranging from stealing a waistcoat and Bible, highway robbery and murder – and the heinous crime of ‘setting fire to a haystack’!

During this time, seven murderers were hanged at the Castle and their bodies buried in Lucy Tower where their graves can still be seen today. Apparently, their headstones are actually ‘feet’ stones as they were buried facing downwards, towards Hell. Those Victorians ehh!?

Time for the 12 noon tour!

12 Noon: Les was our Guide, and he gave a thorough grounding in the history of the Castle. He had a great style injected with the occasional humorous quip – Perfect!👍👍. Today’s learning point? Some of those destined for the gallows used to ‘swallow’ a lead pipe so that their neck wouldn’t break when hanged! Who knew? 😯

The Tour lasted just over an hour and probably should – and could – have been longer as there was so much to take in. When we said our goodbyes to Les just after 1pm, it gave us just enough time to see the rest of the Castle. With lunch beckoning, we took a quick look at the Prison Chapel, the 1215 Magna Carta (a shame – no photography allowed) and finally, a scramble up the spiral staircase for me to see that unrivalled view of Lincoln Cathedral. Just my luck that the lift was broken! Today’s factoids: The Victorian Prison Chapel is the only one surviving IN THE WORLD, and the Magna Carta here is one of just FOUR in the UK! 👍

Lunch

1.35pm: Sandra had helpfully pre-booked Olé Olé, a Spanish Tapas Restaurant right outside the Castle. It was already quite busy when we arrived, and we were soon to find out why!

Fab food followed! Super tasty, piping hot and reasonably priced!

The food and service was excellent, but the time passed all too quickly. We only had a few minutes to spare before our car park ticket ran out, and so we said our goodbyes and headed for the car and our 80-mile trip home. Our friends had a bit more time on their hands and stayed to explore more of Lincoln.

2.45pm: On the road, Ann took the wheel as the 6.5% beer I’d had with Lunch kicked in. All I wanted to do was sleep – so I did! 🥴

4.16pm: Home and awake! 🤣😂🤣😂