Steep Hill
Cathedral Quarter, City of Lincoln

A steep, cobbled street, lined with independent shops, tea rooms and restaurants that leads to and from Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle and the Cathedral Quarter.

Steep Hill first became used by the residents of Lincoln when the city was called Lindum Colonia and the Roman inhabitants decided to expand the settlement down the hill. Excavations has shown that the hill used to be lined by steps during that time. 

Today, Steep Hill is famous for its independent businesses - vintage boutiques, quaint tea rooms, chocolate & fudge parlours, and more. The steep, cobbled street, with a 16.12º gradient, was voted Britain's Great Street in 2012 by the Academy of Urbanism and named the fourth steepest street in England by the Ordnance Survey.

There are also many historic sites still remaining on the hill and in use today:

• The Mayor's Chair is said to have been placed at the top of the steepest part of the hill by the Mayor of Lincoln in the early 18th century to give a place of rest to weary travellers. It has since been replaced but the essence of a place of rest remains.
• Harding House, an art gallery, stands just past the Mayor's Chair and dates back to the 15th century.
• The charming, half-timbered Harlequin stands on the corner past Harding House, first opened as an inn in the 18th century and now a book store.
• Towards the top of the hill is Norman House, dating back to the 12th century and still featuring its iconic double-arched windows.
• Remains of the Upper South Gate to Roman Lindum Colonia can still be seen on Steep Hill in the Number 44 shop and in a wall on the opposite side of the road.

Steep Hill leads on from The Strait, another area full of fascinating history, and at the top of the hill you will find the stunning Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. Steep Hill isn't suitable for those with accessibility requirements but the Steep Hill Shuttle can help you get to the top with ease.

Find out where you can shop on Steep Hill on the Shop Lincoln website and where to eat or drink on Steep Hill on the Visit Lincoln website.

Lincoln Cathedral Quarter

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