Lincoln's historic Bailgate area

The Bailgate sits at the very top of Lincoln's steep hill, tucked between the cathedral, the castle and the line of the old Roman wall. The street itself follows the route of a Roman road, and small studs set into the pavement mark out the footprint of the long-vanished north gate of the city, Newport. Just a short walk away, the Newport Arch still stands at the end of Bailgate and is widely cited as the oldest Roman arch in Britain still used by traffic.

Today the area is one of Lincoln's most attractive shopping and dining districts. Bailgate and the connecting Steep Hill are lined with independent bookshops, jewellers, delis, traditional pubs and tea rooms, most occupying timber-framed and Georgian buildings. The area is a popular browse for visitors heading between Lincoln Cathedral's west front and the gatehouse of Lincoln Castle, which both face onto Castle Square at the southern end of Bailgate.

Beyond the shops there is plenty of history in plain sight: medieval houses, a section of Roman colonnade preserved beneath a glass panel outside one of the cafes, and quiet courtyards leading off the main street. The Bailgate area hosts seasonal markets, a popular Christmas market period and various heritage events throughout the year.