Museum quarter

Lincoln's Museum Quarter is the informal name for the rich cluster of museums, galleries and historic buildings that occupy the uphill old town between the Cathedral, the Castle and the steep cobbled lane known as Steep Hill. Within a few minutes' walk, visitors can move from medieval streets to Roman remains, from Tudor town houses to nationally significant collections of art and social history.

The anchor institutions include The Collection, Lincolnshire's principal archaeology and art museum, which holds finds spanning prehistory, the Roman colonia of Lindum and the medieval city, and its neighbour the Usher Gallery, home to fine and decorative art including works associated with Lincolnshire-born poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Close by sit the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, housed in the former Royal North Lincoln Militia barracks, with displays on rural life, industry and the county's regiments, and Lincoln Castle, with its Magna Carta vault and Victorian prison.

The quarter is best explored on foot, weaving between independent shops, tearooms and pubs along Bailgate, Castle Hill and Steep Hill. Allow a full day to do it justice, with the Cathedral and the views from Castle walls providing memorable bookends to the museum visits in between.