Schools

Lincoln Cathedral is an iconic building bursting with history from the time of William the Conqueror.

It was commissioned by William and first built by one of his right hand men, his cousin Bishop Remigius, and is an inspiring and educational location for a School Visit. Follow the links to find out more about its history and architecture.

On this page we outline the visits we offer to schools, but also offer some advice about your visit.  How to Book and our Terms and Conditions are set out on the pages that follow.

Visits

We offer visits to the main body of the cathedral but also to our unique Library.

To get the most out of your School Visit to the cathedral itself, please make sure you book in with one of our Cathedral Children’s Guides. (Details can be found on the How to Book page). Guided visits are no more expensive and add so much to the children’s experience.

Pilgimage Tours are the most popular for schools wanting a general introduction to the Cathedral building, and its use for worship. Pilgrimage tours focus on 5 key areas of the Cathedral (the Narthex, the Font, the Crossing, St Hugh’s Choir and the Angel Choir), looking at the symbols which are an integral part of Christianity, and also historical and architectural aspects of the building.  Every effort is made to link with R.E. National Curriculum requirements at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 and also to connect with English, Mathematics, History and Creative Arts in response to schools’ requests.

We can provide opportunities for schools to prepare and present their own act of worship if they wish, or to have demonstrated a liturgical service such as Christian Baptism. This could help meet the Curriculum need to understand initiation ceremonies in various faiths.

A ‘Soft Toy Safari’ for Reception and Year 1 classes encourages children to look for animals in the Cathedral’s carvings of wood and stone and to make connections with relevant Bible stories.

Library Workshops

Medieval Library – the making of a medieval manuscript

These informative, yet fun sessions are aimed particularly at Key Stage 2 pupils. Sessions last 1 hour and cost £1 per child (no charge for accompanying adults).  Because of the hands-on nature of the session, the maximum number of pupils per group should be no more than 15.

Visits start in the Medieval library with an interactive question and answer session where pupils learn about the making of medieval manuscripts.  They hear about parchment making and the work of the scribe. A selection of the Cathedral’s medieval manuscripts will be on display for the pupils to see, in order to illustrate what they have learned.

The session then moves into the Wren Library where the pupils have a go at sewing and  decorating their own manuscripts.

Library Tour

Older pupils (Key Stage 3) may enjoy a library tour, lasting up to 1 hour, during which they will hear about the history of the Medieval and Wren libraries; the architecture, the people involved and of course the books themselves.  The tour will also include information on manuscript making and the effect of the invention of printing and paper making on the availability of books to a wider audience.

Tours cost £1 per pupil and numbers are limited to groups of 20 pupils plus accompanying adults.  (Maximum total number 25).

The libraries are on the first floor and there is currently no disabled access.

Please see the How to Book page for details.

Facilities and advice for your visit

Toilets, including facilities for the disabled are located off the south walk of the Cloister.

Picnic lunch areas are available for supervised children in the Cloister, the Secret Garden (adjacent to the Cathedral Centre) or the Chapter House (when available) at no extra charge.

You can book to use the Cathedral Centre for lunch at a charge of £6.25 per 30 minutes. No more than 15 in a group. Groups of 30 divided into two groups can be accommodated with a change-over after 30 minutes.

Bags / lunchboxes must be kept with parties at all times, unless the storage facility or a room in the Cathedral Centre has been booked (see the Booking Form).

At the end of your tour, please remember to visit the Cathedral Shop. Large parties may be divided at busy times.

Remember that the Cathedral can be cold, even in summer.

Booking

If you would like to book please go to the How to Book page. If you would like to talk about dates and obtain any further information please e-mail visitors@lincolncathedral.com or phone our communications office on 01522 561600

Choir outreach project

We hope that your visit will inspire you. One way of continuing the relationship is through our choir outreach project. Have look here and see what you think.