A complete visitor guide to Lincoln Cathedral. Find up-to-date ticket prices, opening hours, and essential information for your visit to this historic site.
How much does Lincoln Cathedral cost?
Quick answer: Adult entry to Lincoln Cathedral costs £12.50, Monday to Saturday, or £10.50 on Sunday.
The pricing structure is covered in more detail below.
Why Lincoln Cathedral is worth visiting?
Lincoln Cathedral sits atop a limestone hill in the middle of Lincoln, dominating the skyline in a way few English cathedrals manage. When I first visited Lincoln, I kept spotting it from miles away across the flat Lincolnshire countryside – this vast Gothic structure just perched up there like it owns the place. Which, in a sense, it does.
For 238 years, from 1311 to 1549, Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the world. The central spire of tthis grand European cathedral reached 160 metres until it collapsed during a storm. Even without it, the cathedral still stands 83 metres tall and remains one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. Victorian art critic John Ruskin called it “out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have.” High praise indeed.
A cathedral built on power
William the Conqueror ordered the cathedral built in 1072 as a statement of Norman dominance. They positioned it deliberately on the site of an old Roman fortress, right next to Lincoln Castle. The message was clear: we’re in charge now. The cathedral you see today is largely from a rebuild that began in 1192 after an earthquake flattened much of the original structure.
The cathedral measures 120 metres long and is built from Lincolnshire limestone that glows honey-coloured in certain light. It’s supported by 88 pillars and covered by 72 vaulted sections. The west front is particularly striking – covered in blind arcading and ornate stonework that survived centuries remarkably intact.
Inside the cathedral
The interior is genuinely impressive. The Angel Choir at the east end is considered one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture, and somewhere up in the stonework lurks the Lincoln Imp – a small carved devil that’s become the unofficial symbol of the city. Finding it is something of a challenge (hint: look up in the Angel Choir).
The stained glass is extraordinary. Some of it dates back to the medieval period, including the famous Dean’s Eye and Bishop’s Eye rose windows at either end of the transept. The colours are still vivid after all these centuries.
Other highlights include the elaborately carved choir stalls, the Chapter House with its stunning vaulted ceiling supported by a single central pillar, and the Romanesque Frieze in the Exhibition Gallery – a series of carved stone panels dating from around 1145 that somehow survived the earthquake.
There’s also the Wren Library, designed by Christopher Wren (one of only two he built, the other being at Trinity College, Cambridge). It houses over 10,000 works including 250 medieval manuscripts. When I last checked, it was closed for restoration work, so verify it’s open before planning your visit specifically to see it.
Ticket prices for Lincoln Cathedral
Right, this is where it gets interesting. When I checked directly in December 2025, the pricing structure at Lincoln Cathedral is refreshingly straightforward compared to some continental cathedrals (I’m looking at you, St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna).
Standard admission
Monday to Saturday:
- Adults: £12.50
Sunday:
- Adults: £10.50
Free admission:
- Children under 16 (when visiting as a family – up to 4 children per adult)
- All students (with valid student ID)
- Companions/carers for visitors with disabilities
Yes, you read that correctly – all children under 16 get in free when with their family. That’s helpfully generous if trying to keep the kids occupid on a budget. Students also get free entry, which is unusual for a major cathedral that charges admission.
Gift Aid option
If you’re a UK taxpayer, you can Gift Aid your admission, which means the cathedral can claim an extra 25% from the government at no cost to you. The benefit is that you then receive an annual pass, allowing you to return free for 12 months. So if you pay £12.50 with Gift Aid, you can come back as many times as you want for a year. That’s exceptional value if you’re local or planning multiple visits (which, admittedly, most visitors won’t be).
Special tours (additional cost)
The standard admission includes a complimentary floor tour (Monday to Saturday only – no tours on Sundays), but specialist tours cost extra:
All specialist tours: £7.50 per person (in addition to general admission)
Tour options include:
- Tower Tour – climb over 300 steps to the central tower for 360-degree views. Saturdays and bank holidays (except Good Friday), April to October, at 11:15am and 1:15pm. Must be 14 or over.
- Roof Tour – explore the roof space and see the structure holding up the cathedral, plus close-ups of stained glass windows. About 1 hour 45 minutes. Must be 14 or over.
- Stained Glass Tour – learn about the medieval and later windows (bring binoculars)
- Graffiti Tour – discover historical graffiti carved into the stonework
- Symbolism Tour – decode the hidden meanings in the architecture and decorations
- Minster Yard Tour – explore the cathedral close and hear stories of its colourful inhabitants
Places on specialist tours are limited, so booking in advance is recommended.
Opening hours
This is more complicated than you might expect. The cathedral is technically open all day for services, but tourist access is restricted to specific hours.
For tourists:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00-16:00 (admission charged)
- Sunday: 11:30 (or when morning service finishes) – 14:30 (admission charged)
Outside these hours:
- The cathedral remains open from Morning Prayer until the end of Evensong/Evening Prayer
- You can enter free for prayer, to light candles, or to attend services
- The Morning Chapel is available for private prayer during opening hours at no charge
So if you turn up at 9am on a Tuesday expecting to sightsee, you’ll be disappointed. The café’s full menu is served until 3pm daily (3:30pm Saturdays), with coffee and cake available until 4:30pm (3:30pm Sundays).
Special closures and restricted access
The cathedral is primarily a place of worship, so on some days it may have reduced visitor hours. The Wren Library is currently closed for maintenance. Parts of the Cloisters, including the Roman Mosaic, may be restricted when library work is ongoing.
There are also organ tuning dates, when the organ may not sound its best. Check the Lincoln Cathedral website if this bothers you.
What’s included in admission
Your ticket includes:
- Entry to the cathedral
- Free floor tour (Monday-Saturday)
- Access to the Exhibition Gallery (featuring the Romanesque Frieze)
- Access to the Discovery Centre (interactive exhibits, great for kids)
- Explorer’s backpack for younger children (collect from welcome desk)
If you Gift Aid your admission, you also get that 12-month annual pass.
Practical tips for visiting Lincoln Cathedral
- Location: At the top of the hill in Lincoln’s historic quarter, about 15-20 minutes uphill walk from the train station.
- Getting there: The walk up from the city centre is steep – Steep Hill is well-named. There are several car parks within 10 minutes’ walk, costing around £5 for 3 hours.
- Time needed: Allow 60-90 minutes minimum for a self-guided visit. Add more time if you’re doing a specialist tour.
- The Lincoln Imp: Everyone wants to find this little carved devil. It’s in the Angel Choir, high up on the north side. Look for the cluster of people with their necks craned back.
- Combined ticket: If you’re visiting Lincoln Castle as well, show your cathedral ticket at the castle for a 10% discount on admission.
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings tend to be quieter. Saturdays can get busy, especially when tower tours are running.
- Accessibility: The main cathedral is accessible, but tower and roof tours obviously aren’t suitable for everyone. Accessible toilets and facilities are available.
- Booking: You don’t need to book in advance for general admission – just turn up. But do book ahead for specialist tours as places are limited.
The Magna Carta connection
Lincoln Cathedral once held one of the four original copies of Magna Carta (the 1215 document that’s considered a cornerstone of British constitutional history). These days the cathedral’s copy is housed next door at Lincoln Castle, but the connection is worth noting – the cathedral and castle make natural companion visits.
FAQs about Lincoln Cathedral
- When was Lincoln Cathedral built? Construction began in 1072, but the current structure largely dates from 1192 onwards after an earthquake destroyed much of the original.
- Do children pay? No – under 16s enter free when visiting as a family (up to 4 children per adult).
- Is it free for students? Yes – all students get free admission with valid student ID.
- Can I visit during services? Yes, attending services is free and open to all.
- What’s the Lincoln Imp? A small carved stone devil in the Angel Choir. Legend says he was turned to stone for causing mischief.
- How long does it take to climb the tower? The tower tour lasts about an hour and involves climbing over 300 steps.
- Is the Wren Library open? Currently closed for restoration work – check before visiting.
- Is advance booking required? Not for general admission, but recommended for specialist tours.
- What’s the best view of the cathedral? From outside the city, particularly approaching from the south, you get the full dramatic effect of it sitting on the hill.
More East Midlands travel
Other East Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Exploring the Elizabethan ruins of Kirby Hall.
- Discovering Pilgrim history at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire.
- 9 reasons to visit Nottingham.
- First time visitor’s guide to the City of Caves in Nottingham.
- Belvoir Castle visitor guide.
