Steep Hill in Lincoln ~ Britain’s Best Place
Steep Hill in Lincoln ~ Britain’s Best Place
Everybody knows that Lincolnshire is the finest place on earth, I know not why I even bother to mention it, and today my utterances are confirmed because the Best Place in the UK is here in Lincolnshire
The Academy of Urbanism has awarded the title of ‘Britain’s Best Place’ to Steep Hill in Lincoln against strong competition from places not only in this country but also from places in Scotland 
It is a serious award as well coming from architects and professional planners, not some ‘Mickey Mouse’ job - they clearly know what they’re talking about !
I love Lincoln myself, there are Some Great People About and Steep Hill is the heart of the place especially as you get to the Bailgate or if you stop off Here for a Quick Breather, frankly, there’s some wonderful buildings, shops and Architecture Everywhere
I can never walk up it without thinking of my father who did his army training there before doing National Service, when we were kids and visited the city, as we often did, he’d look at younger people struggling to walk up hill, getting out of breath, having to stop and say . . .
‘I used to have to run up here in full kit’
My brother and I, in youthful ignorance, used to roll our eyes and laugh !
Now, many years later and with the wisdom age brings, I march up there and see some deadbeat half my age 
have to stop at Readers Rest Bookshop to get their breath I think to myself . . .
‘My father used to have to run up here in full kit’
I’ve actually had this photograph I took a few months ago in waiting for a specific article on this ancient cobbled street which dates back to Roman times so given the award there’s no better time to use it.
Lincoln Cathedral as Seen from Steep Hill
Hopefully you’ll agree with me that this prestigious award is well-deserved and its right and proper place was always going to be somewhere in Lincolnshire 
If you’ve any opinions, thoughts, information on Steep Hill or you’ve been there yourself then please do feel free to share below.
All the best
Rod
James Smith, 12 said,
November 13, 2011 @ 1:38 pm
Congratulations Steep Hill, you thoroughly deserve this award. I believe a major contributing factor is Goodies sweet shop - a fantastic classical shop in all ways. Don’t miss an opportunity to visit this shop!
Regards,
James
Amiguru said,
November 13, 2011 @ 3:08 pm
One of the greatest shocks to foreigners, (i.e. those from out of the county), is their encountering The Straight in ‘flat Lincolnshire’. They even more aghast as they realise that the worst is yet to come in the form of Steep Hill and grind to a total halt after crossing Well Lane where the hill takes on orgasmic proportions. I hear it was devised by the Lincoln Imp…
Whenever I visit Lincoln, (yes, I do sneak back in from time-to-time), I always rise to the challenge, despite my being almost as old as the hill itself. OK it does make me breath a little heavier these days but see it as a gauge of my fitness.
Unfortunately, I have to resist doing it all in one go as I am obliged to call in at The Readers’ Rest, the sweet shop referred to by James for some real ‘licquorice root’ and the rocks and fossils shop en route.
Amazingly to me, my uncle, in later life, used to climb it every day early in the morning on his way to work as Deputy Custodian of the castle.
My imagination always takes over on the hill as I try to imagine a farmer of centuries ago decending the hill with a waggon load of cabbages, mangold wurzels or the like and the beast of burden getting out of control!
Cabbages at the top, coleslaw at the bottom!
Yes, the place is certainly steeped in history .
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
November 13, 2011 @ 5:31 pm
James,
I used to visit that shop with the ‘Former Mrs Goldeneye’ - traditional sweets all in traditional jars, weighed out into paper bags - I hope it’s still the same as I’ve not been in for many a year.
Best
Rod
Rod said,
November 13, 2011 @ 5:32 pm
Neville,
I’ll bet if somebody walks that hill once a day it’s all they’d need to do to stay fit !
I myself think all medieval whenever I’m there.
Best
Rod
Garry Ross said,
November 13, 2011 @ 5:39 pm
Rod,
I’ve always wondered how that area got its name and how long they took to actually name it?
I remember a couple of years ago when we had that snow type stuff followed by drizzle that decided to freeze the area into a bumpy ice rink and watching people try to ‘walk’ down there. Some were holding onto whatever they could but only a few made it without coming a cropper. One chap with a cut on his head said “I wouldn’t try going up there if I was you, it’s lethal” I took a deep breath, clenched my fists for support and took a detour down St Martins Street onto Michaelgate instead…which was just as bad.
It is a nice part of Lincoln, it reminds me of the Shambles in York in a way but at a weirdly deranged angle.
All the best,
Garry
minnie said,
November 13, 2011 @ 10:38 pm
I lived in Lincoln for a short time and used to take on that hill most days on the way to work. I often used to wonder how some of the carriage horses used to survive it and then quite a few years later I came across some studded wooden ‘horse pattens’ which were a long way from home that had been used on that very hill.
I remember going to the Clannad do in the castle grounds in the early 90’s( the best version of the Harry’s Game theme I have ever heard was the one done in the practice session in the Cathedral prior to the actual event). This hill claimed quite a few victims that night, dont think I have ever seen so many people trying to cram onto the bench about halfway up. Its a long time since I have done the hill ‘in one’ and I doubt I am even capable of it now?
The bookshops are very well placed I have to admit.
Rod said,
November 14, 2011 @ 8:19 am
Garry,
I think it would be worthwhile looking into the age of the name, how long has it been known as such.
I’ve never been there during periods of snow and ice but it must be impassable for all intents and purposes
Best
Rod
Rod said,
November 14, 2011 @ 8:23 am
Minnie,
that’s a very good point, how did horse and carriage manage the steepest parts of the cobbled incline ?
Just think of how many people have gone up there to the castle grounds and for how many different reasons Minnie, it’s truly amazing when you think about it.
Best
Rod
Billy Bob said,
November 14, 2011 @ 11:09 am
I’ve lived just outside Lincoln for nigh on a decade now, and go to the Cathedral quarter and the top of Steep Hill once or twice a week. My thoughts often turn to the battles fought in those narrow and steep streets. There was street fighting in the civil war years, with the Roundheads occupying the Cathedral and largely trashing it. There was street fighting too 500 years earlier during the Anarchy of 1141 as King Stephen fought for his throne. It’s fascinating, if gruesome, to imagine such battles on that very street.
Strange to think too, that we are far nearer in time to the civil war battles than they were to the battles of King Stephen
Rod said,
November 14, 2011 @ 5:11 pm
BB,
thanks for the coment and welcome to the site - it’s a great place top live and that’s for sure.
I too find myself thinking as you do - it really enriches the experience of being somewhere
All the best
Rod
jamie bemrose said,
November 15, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
MY FAV PLACE FOR OUR ANNUAL XMAS JOLLY BOYS OUTING…GET OFF TRAIN TAXI TO TOP,BREAKFAST,MAGNA CARTA FOR FIRST TIPPLE….AND THEN A FEW MORE ON WAY DOWN WHILE ENJOYING “STEEP HILL” ON THE DESCENT…I KNOW ITS CHEATING BUT DONE STEEP HILL ASCENT A FEW TIMES,AND IT DOES CATCH PEOPLE BY SURPISE
Rod said,
November 15, 2011 @ 7:49 pm
JB,
it makes more sense to work your way down on a pub crawl
Best
Rod
minnie said,
November 16, 2011 @ 10:57 pm
Just remembered the first time I read about Steep Hill and its history - when I was at school in a book called ? Angels and Imps which was all about the building of the cathedral and the people who built it, ok it was fiction and a book for children, but as a child it grabbed my attention and got me interested in local history
Blackbird said,
November 24, 2011 @ 6:01 pm
I’m a Yellowbelly, but only moved to Lincoln to study Fine Art & Illustration here a few years ago, so I soon got used to the walk up to Greestone some days, and Chad Varah House on others (Asbestos contamination anyone??!) and trying to raise money for degree shows during the Christmas Market and similar laughing at tourists - have to say that since I finished my degree and have less occasion to go up I’ve put on weight :-s
Soon sorts out the wheat from the chaff does Steep Hill!!!!
there’s a stone wall with a small niche, where I always imagine that worm going “Ello!”
I prefer to go up to Widow Cullen’s Well, which interests me following from the Steeleye Span folk rock song “Little Sir Hugh”, about a medieval choirboy that was murdered and thrown down a well - could be Widow Cullen’s Well?? There is an actual well in there… have some cider with friends away from other scantily clad students that can’t get up there in heels
Reminiscent of locations from Harry Potter - Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, and also the film The Labyrinth. If you go up Motherby Hill to avoid the crowds at the Christmas Market and a fast track to Mulled Wine and the Scandi Gifts stall
I fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City…. half imagine David Bowie to show up with tights and a mullet….!!! I sit imagining these things in Widow Cullen’s Well. But not very often mind.
Glad Steep Hill has finally beaten so many other really boring streets - hoping it brings more challengers for the Christmas Market - I came here looking for a reference image for Christmas Card designs for the Christmas Market.
Nice blog post Rod!
Thanks to Minnie for making me think of Harry Hill going up Steep Hill!!
Blackbird
Rod said,
November 24, 2011 @ 6:31 pm
Blackbird,
wonderful comment, many thanks and welcome to the site - I hope you’ll return.
Dealing with the well in which the boy was thrown I just wrote about that here Jews’ Court
Steep Hill certainly does sift the wheat from the chaff and I’ve a picture in my mind now thanks to you of girls in spiked heels trying to navigate it - Saturday night with a camera may provide some amusting photographs
Regards,
Rod
History Hunter said,
November 25, 2011 @ 11:39 am
Back in the days when my belly muscles used to be in my chest (most people know that feeling) somebody challenged my to carry them up steep hill. And I did! Simples!
Over the years i carried 3 people up there (not all at the same time though), one on medical reasons….and 2 bets……….and I was victorious.
But NOW…………………………………those seats that occasionally show up as your climbing/walking/scaling Steep Hill, you know, the ones that shout at you to thave a sit down…………………..well they talk exceedingly loud to me nowadays
Rod said,
November 25, 2011 @ 5:44 pm
HH,
that’s some going that ! I don’t think I’d fancy it myself.
You’ll have to get back into training, you could then make a fortune on Saturdays by offering yourself as a bearer service for those disinclined to physical exertion
Best
Rod
blu 86 said,
May 12, 2012 @ 11:17 pm
am a real yellow belly born and bread in lincolnshire. i know so meny tales of ghost etc in and around lincoln.lincoln steep hill is the best hill to up or down not only have lincoln steep hill has got the award for best street in the uk its also hunted loads of tales of steep hill lincoln.
steep hill in lincoln is a killer to walk up worth it when you get to the top and look out over lincoln what a site so amazing