St Mary's Guildhall, Lincoln

St Mary’s Guildhall, on the corner of Lincoln’s High Street and Sibthorpe Street, will be open on Sunday 13, Saturday 19, and Sunday 20 September, from 11 am to 4 pm. Visitors can explore this amazing twelfth-century building, including the inner courtyard and ranges, and discover its fascinating history. Underneath the foundations is a Roman road, the Fosse Way, part of which can be viewed, preserved under a glass floor.

A Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Monument, formerly known as John o’Gaunt’s Stables, the building dates to 1157 and was once a major domestic complex of the highest social status and possibly the townhouse of King Henry II. If so, it would be the only survivor from the small group of the king’s town houses which existed in several major towns.

It was used from 1251 to 1547 as the headquarters of the Great Guild of St Mary, Lincoln’s most important guild (a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants) and began to be used as a maltings during this time. Later, the building became a school for the Lincoln Christ Hospital ‘Bluecoats.’ In more recent times, it has been used as a builders’ merchant but is now the headquarters of the Lincoln Civic Trust.

Local historian Vic Hughes will be running two free guided tours each day, at 11.30 am and 2 pm. (Booking not required.)

For a ‘taste of the past,’ food historian Tracy Goree of Botanical Bakes and Bites will be in residence, chatting about historical recipes and ingredients.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

Open 1100 - 1600 (Guided tours at 11.30 and 14.30)

Saturday 19 September:

Open 1100 - 1600 (Guided tours at 11.30 and 14.30)

Sunday 20 September:

Open 1100 - 1600 (Guided tours at 11.30 and 14.30)

Location & directions

St Mary's Guildhall, 385 High Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7SF

Contact on day:

Lincoln Civic Trust

Telephone number:

+441522546422

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Unfortunately, there is limited disabled access to St Mary's Guildhall. Toilets are available, at the top of a flight of stairs.

Additional information

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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