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Lincoln
Cathedral stained-glass window
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The
East Midlands is centred on the counties of Lincolnshire
and Nottinghamshire. At Lincoln, the superb medieval
cathedral is notable for its extraordinary exterior.
Here is art in stone. The west front, in particular, is
magnificent in its use of sculptural detail and the richness
of its design.
The
angel choir is a masterpiece of the Decorated style. In
the south east porch is the "Judgement Portal",
with its marvelous relief carvings of Christ presiding over
the Last Day, and in the choir is the "crazy vault"
of intertwining ribs crisscrossing the bay. The medieval
remains of Lincoln Castle host exhibits on the Magna Carta
and a reconstructed Prison Chapel.
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Tattershall
Castle
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A
different castle experience can be had at Tattershall, a
15th century tower castle in the French style built of warm
red brick. The nearby collegiate church is an excellent
example of Perpendicular Gothic style.
If Tattershall is arguably more house than castle, the same
is doubly true of Belvoir
Castle, a romantic Gothic house perched on a rocky hilltop.
Belvoir boasts a fantastic painted ceiling, and a collection
of paintings by Gainsborough, Holbein, and the ubiquitous
Joshua Reynolds.
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Sherwood
Forest
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Nottingham
is known to most tourists for its association with the legends
of Robin
Hood. At The Tales of Robin Hood attraction you can
trace the "real" story behind the legends, and
enjoy a medieval banquet. At the Sherwood Forest Visitor
Centre you can see the Major Oak, reputedly the place where
Robin Hood and his Merry Men gathered.
But
Nottingham has more to offer than Robin Hood; the city has
a long heritage as a centre of the lace industry. At The
Lace Centre you can trace the history of Nottingham lace
and try your hand at making some yourself! Medieval Nottingham
Castle is now a city museum and art centre, and the nearby
Costume and Textile Museum displays costumes of the past
200 years in a series of period room settings.
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Newstead
Abbey
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Newstead
Abbey near Ravenshead was the childhood home of poet
Lord Byron. The romantic Gothic house is built around the
remains of a 13th century Augustinian Priory. Holme Pierrepont
Hall on the outskirts of Nottingham is a Tudor manor filled
with fine period furniture. See if you can find the secret
courtyard garden!
Southwell
Minster is a magnificent cathedral dating back to the
early Norman period. The 13th century Chapter House contains
superb stonecarvings, notably the "Leaves of Southwell",
delicate foliage carvings. Look for the mysterious faces
of the "Green Man" peering out from between the
leaves.
At
Laxton, medieval open-field strips are still used by local
farmers, and Morris dancers greet the dawn on the walls
of ruined Laxton Castle each May Day.
For
more in depth information
about the East Midlands:
Attractions
Map
Tourist Information
Centres
Web links
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Britain
Express Virtual Tour of England