The event is called “Weekend at the Asylum” from the name of one of the former venues “The Lawn”. This early 19th century Greek revival building used to house the Lunatic Asylum and is now functioning as a restaurant and theatre. Nowadays the Steampunk event takes place all around the Cathedral Quarter and in the Castle grounds on the August Bank Holiday. The street festival is free but some venues have admission charges. We have been staying in Lincoln especially for this event for many years now. I used to dress up in costume, but the extra luggage on the train journey is too much for me now. However, we still love to take photos and enjoy the great fun-filled atmosphere around the city. There are exhibitions, parades, markets, and plenty of street entertainment to experience. It is the largest event of this kind in the world. For the uninitiated “Steampunk” is a creative genre drawing inspiration from Victorian science fiction by upcycling various materials and literally turning objects (or themselves) into works of art!
Lincoln city itself is brimming with history and heritage with the Castle, the Medieval Bishops Palace and the Cathedral. To reach them you have to tackle the famous Steep Hill. However, I have now discovered that you can get a bus from the Central Bus Station near the Brayford Waterfront which takes you up to the Cathedral area.
In the vault of the Castle you can see an original copy of the Magna Carta where it is displayed in a glass case. This 800-year-old document which laid the foundations for the rule of law and individual rights is one of only four in existence. You can also descend into the Vctorian Prison where you can discover stories of some notorious prisoners. On one previous visit to the Castle we did the Medieval Wall Walk. From there you get a panoramic view across Linconshire from the tops of the high ramparts which were built by William the Conqueror in 1068.
The Cathedral itself, towering on Lincoln’s high hill, can be seen for miles around even at night when it is all lit up. It was first built in 1072, and until 1549, was the tallest building in the world. In the 14th century it was the seat of the English Parliament. Inside is the shrine of St Hugh who was remembered for giving sanctuary to oppressed Jews, rejecting laws that would bring about starvation and standing up for the poor and downtrodden. Just above the shrine is the grotesque Lincoln Imp which legend said was turned to stone by the angels.
There are of course plenty of places to eat and drink in the city. At the north end of Bailgate is the Duke William pub – right by the Newport Arch a remainder of the Roman city walls (and the only Roman archway still to be used for traffic in the UK) One of the other landmarks in the city is the Guildhall and Stonebow. The City Council meet there and you can have a free tour of the artefacts – including the sword of King Richard II. There are aslo art galleries both traditional or modern and a wealth of other museums.
Naturally there are several places to stop off for tea and cake, but for us on a busy Steampunk day, we enjoyed a sit down in the castle tearoom and also inside the church of St Mary Mgdalene on the corner of Bailgate/Exchequergate.
In short Lincoln is an excellent place to visit – particularly for the Steampunk Festival!
