Lincoln & Stamford
If you read my last two posts, you may be wondering why I was on a train needing to undertake an epic dash across London in the first place. I was going to write about it at the time, but I got sidetracked by a classic episode of The Simpsons and Bruce Almighty – which incidentally is a quality film now rated as one of JP’s All Time Favourites.
Anyway, I had been to Lincoln, and before that, Stamford. Brasenose College has some historical links with these places, and a trip was organised on Saturday for those of us who wanted to find out more and enjoy exploring some new parts of England’s green and pleasant land.
Stamford is a beautiful market town which has retained a lot of its medieval character – the Lord of the Manor at the time prevented the Victorians from developing the town, and there is a distinct lack of red brick. Even the newer buildings are very much in keeping. Personally I was rather taken with the small mansion half-way up Barn Hill and I might make it my ambition to live there. Moving on, highlights of Stamford included the Alms Houses (still used as such), Brazenose Lane (named after the College, but why oh why can’t they spell it properly) and Brazenose House, which was once home to the College’s brass door knocker (and now sports a replica).
Following a tip-off from a completely random stranger (always a bonus in my book) we enjoyed a superb lunch in a pub called “Hole in The Wall”. I chose Toads at The Hole (it worked on so many levels…) and it was delicious.
Then it was on to Lincoln. We just had time to rush round the castle, and having seen an original copy of the Magna Carta I was fascinated by the Victorian prison, complete with a chapel designed so that the prisoners could only see the preacher and not one another. We were able to walk around the walls and enjoy some good views across the city and surrounding countryside.
After a few minutes spent in the old town on the top of the hill it was time to go to the Cathedral, where Bishop John met us and showed us around. We saw the tomb of the founder of Brasenose College and after a brief look around the large and very impressive nave we headed up to the tower. Incidentally, Bishop John informed us that J.John had recently done a series on the Ten Commandments and the later sessions drew in several thousand people, enough to fill the building.
The tower was amazing; as we climbed we felt the vibrations as the clock struck the hour and though the weather was not great, the views from the top were quite something. We learnt how the original Norman Cathedral had been destroyed in an earthquake and it was fascinating to see the join in the roof where the Cathedral had been rebuilt to match up with what remained of the first one.
On the way down from the tower we had the privilege of being in the rafters as the choir sung and processed in for Evensong, which was very special. Unfortunately I was then unable to go with the group to the Bishop’s house for tea as I had a train to catch. I did however enjoy experiencing the very old streets as I made my way down the aptly named Steep Hill en route to the station.
All in all, a great day.
Anyway, I had been to Lincoln, and before that, Stamford. Brasenose College has some historical links with these places, and a trip was organised on Saturday for those of us who wanted to find out more and enjoy exploring some new parts of England’s green and pleasant land.
Stamford is a beautiful market town which has retained a lot of its medieval character – the Lord of the Manor at the time prevented the Victorians from developing the town, and there is a distinct lack of red brick. Even the newer buildings are very much in keeping. Personally I was rather taken with the small mansion half-way up Barn Hill and I might make it my ambition to live there. Moving on, highlights of Stamford included the Alms Houses (still used as such), Brazenose Lane (named after the College, but why oh why can’t they spell it properly) and Brazenose House, which was once home to the College’s brass door knocker (and now sports a replica).
Following a tip-off from a completely random stranger (always a bonus in my book) we enjoyed a superb lunch in a pub called “Hole in The Wall”. I chose Toads at The Hole (it worked on so many levels…) and it was delicious.
Then it was on to Lincoln. We just had time to rush round the castle, and having seen an original copy of the Magna Carta I was fascinated by the Victorian prison, complete with a chapel designed so that the prisoners could only see the preacher and not one another. We were able to walk around the walls and enjoy some good views across the city and surrounding countryside.
After a few minutes spent in the old town on the top of the hill it was time to go to the Cathedral, where Bishop John met us and showed us around. We saw the tomb of the founder of Brasenose College and after a brief look around the large and very impressive nave we headed up to the tower. Incidentally, Bishop John informed us that J.John had recently done a series on the Ten Commandments and the later sessions drew in several thousand people, enough to fill the building.
The tower was amazing; as we climbed we felt the vibrations as the clock struck the hour and though the weather was not great, the views from the top were quite something. We learnt how the original Norman Cathedral had been destroyed in an earthquake and it was fascinating to see the join in the roof where the Cathedral had been rebuilt to match up with what remained of the first one.
On the way down from the tower we had the privilege of being in the rafters as the choir sung and processed in for Evensong, which was very special. Unfortunately I was then unable to go with the group to the Bishop’s house for tea as I had a train to catch. I did however enjoy experiencing the very old streets as I made my way down the aptly named Steep Hill en route to the station.
All in all, a great day.
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