Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ject to a fire and an earth tremor in the 12th century and has had two restorations. Between
1192 and 1250 it was rebuilt in Early English style, using Purbeck marble. The magnificent
central tower was completed in 1311 and has profuse monuments and wood carvings. The
Seamen's Chapel has a window depicting Matthew Flinders and the library has a collection
of rare books and maps relating to exploration and an original copy of the
Magna Carta
. It
was used in filming
The Da Vinci Code
. The Norman castle was built in 1068.
Lincoln Cathedral overlooks Brayford Pool and the River Witham exit
.
Usage taxed the canal and in about 1121 it had to be scoured out. By the 17th century it
was almost impassable again and Acts were established in 1753 and 1762 to improve the
navigation. The upgrading in the 18th and 19th centuries of the fenland drainage gave the
navigation its present form and it was used commercially until grain barges called for the last
time in 1960, since when it has only been used by pleasure craft.
A slipway is located at the east end of the pool in front of the General Accident insurance
company buildings. There is a disused lifting railway bridge at the south-east corner of the
pool. Its neighbouring railway bridge is still very active and the railway line follows the nav-
igation bank to Saxilby, with the A57 also following to Drinsey Nook. The River Witham
leaves in the north-east corner under the Glory Hole, Britain's oldest bridge-carrying build-
ings.
