‘Often overlooked’ Lincoln High Street named among best in UK

Lincoln High Street has been hailed as one of the UK’s finest, recently earning a spot on The Times’ list of top seven high streets. The city’s main shopping thoroughfare was celebrated after hundreds of readers submitted their preferred destinations for retail and leisure.

The Times’ ranking saw Marlborough, Sherborne, Northallerton, and Wells take the lead, with Lincoln proudly taking fifth place, ahead of Ludlow and Rye. Journalist Lucy Thackray praised Lincoln High Street, saying: “Too often overlooked for the historic charms of Bath, York or Oxford, Lincoln has its own buzzy high street with plenty of locally-owned shops and dining spots. ‘Lincoln High Street is beautiful and links to Steep Hill,’ S Parker said.”

Highlighting local attractions, Thackray noted: “From the Agatha clothing boutique, which has appeared in Vogue, to Curtis of Lincoln’s local-specialty plum bread, it’s a scene with its own identity. The spectacular cathedral is not to be missed, while the Norman – era Lincoln Castle is famous for its Magna Carta vault.”

Stretching from the base of the iconic Steep Hill down past the LNER Stadium, home to Lincoln City Football Club, Lincoln’s High Street offers a diverse shopping experience. It boasts a blend of well-known high street names, vibrant local markets, unique independent shops and boutiques, complemented by an array of eateries and pubs, reports Lincolnshire Live.

The recently elected MP for the city has spoken out about the significance of Lincoln’s High Street, emphasizing its unique appeal and the need for preservation. In his words: “Lincoln’s High Street is so important. Going up the hill to the Bailgate, we are so lucky to have such a nice and hugely valuable retail strip with a particular and unique character. Maintaining the Bailgate’s feel is a really important thing for the city.”

“The High Street south of the railway line does also need some love and TLC. It feels to me that STACK is a real success and is reviving St Marks a bit. Making sure the buzziness of the city center is felt south of the railway line is very important.”