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The little historic UK city with England’s ‘prettiest’ street full of independent shops | UK | Travel
Steep Hill has been dubbed the prettiest street in England (Image: Getty)
As you inch your way up Lincoln’s famously steep hill, there’s little chance of running out of breath — but quirky shops will have you stopping constantly as you make your way up what has been dubbed Britain’s prettiest street. Bespoke clothing hangs in one window, handmade jewellery glitters in another, and locals bustle around the butchers and cafes.
The little East Midlands city’s appeal is far from just shops, though. History is woven through the city, with Lincoln’s Norman cathedral dominating the skyline, and a Roman-era marina lying at the bottom of the city. Linking the two is the Bailgate, the thriving independent hub that separates the historic quarter from the chain stores of the modern high street.
Read more: Incredible UK town thriving with over 200 independent shops – ‘it’s pretty’
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The cathedral dominates the skyline in Lincoln (Image: Getty)
It’s here on Steep Hill that Claire Taylor has run her shop Top to Bottom Accessories for the past 14 years, and due to the thriving shopping scene, she recently expanded to open a dog boutique across the street.
“You’ve got all of those lovely tourist places to visit, but on the approach up you’ve got a really good selection of independent shops,” she said. “I think after Covid a lot of people really like that.”
She believes historic buildings help maintain the independent scene because they are impossible to standardise, like hers, where a chimney breast stands proudly in the centre.
“A lot of our shops are very small and quirky because they’re in listed buildings, so the big retailers are not interested in them because they can’t do what they want to make them a uniform shop.”
Steep Hill was once dubbed “Britain’s Great Street” and named “Britain’s Best Place” by the Academy of Urbanism in 2012. According to blog Third Eye Traveller, “you’d need a whole day” to explore all of its independent businesses.
“I think the only thing in the Bailgate that is a chain restaurant is Greggs, and that’s one of the smallest shops there as well,” Paul Risebrow, owner of the Cathedral View Guesthouse, said.
Lincoln is full of historic buildings (Image: Getty)
He said the high street thrives year-round due to its strong local community.
“I think one of the charms of the area is that we do get tourists and we get a few, we get a lot… but we’re not like a York where we’re inundated with tourists, where the shops and the area becomes literally a tourist centre,” he explained.
“You know, there’s still a community in this cathedral quarter. There are still a couple of butchers,” he said. “Those shops, nine out of ten of them don’t really rely on tourists in the daytime. They rely on the locals. So, it sort of maintains that local feel.”
For Mr Risebrow, the city manages to blend modern life with centuries of history, adding: “If didn’t live here, I’d definitely come and visit.”
The draw of Lincoln’s history is something local architects, Matthew Thomas and Brant Clayton, agree on. Having met at university 20 years ago, they set up the Lincoln Free Walking Tour to share their love of the area with tourists.
The Brayford Pool area of Lincoln was used as a port dating back to Roman times (Image: Getty)
“I think if you’re a history fan, Lincoln is almost unrivalled in terms of what UK cities have to offer,” said Mr Thomas.
“The cathedral, for example, is absolutely stunning. It really crowns the city. You’ve only got to walk around any corner and there’s a really historic building. We’re talking Roman remains, Norman remains, the site of major battles.”
They share some of Lincoln’s many claims to fame, including a cathedral that was once the world’s tallest building, the country’s oldest driveable arch, the UK’s oldest bridge with buildings still standing, and, more recently, being the birthplace of the tank.
The history is clearly drawing in visitors, and on their three weekly tours, they regularly attract groups of 10 to 20 tourists, although the number can reach 30 during summer.
Mr Thomas said: “We’re definitely seeing it becoming an increasingly tourist destination.” Mr Clayton added: “I always describe Lincoln as a little bit of a hidden gem, but it’s becoming increasingly less so as more people find out about it.”
Steep Hill has been named the UK’s prettiest street (Image: Getty)
They said that, like many other towns, Lincoln had seen its “fair share” of national chains disappear, but they had seen new shops often move in quickly when one shuts down.
“I think it is thriving,” they said. “Especially on a Saturday morning when we often do our tours, all the shoppers are out, all the shops are open and people comment on that. They say they’re quite surprised how busy and how many of the shops are open.”
However, for them, Lincoln’s success has a lot to thank the university for, bringing plenty of young adults and parents to the region.
“Lots of towns are going through some pretty tough times. And Lincoln’s kind of the one shining light in this little part of the world. So it’s a stark contrast.
“It’s primarily the tourism and the university that create that. I think without either one of those, Lincoln would be in a much more sorry state. But we’re very fortunate.”
Brits may no longer will able to benefit from eased airport measures (Image: Getty Images/Stock Photo)
As a major travel change comes into effect from today (Monday, 7 September), an expert has warned Brits about the potential disruption when travelling to and from Europe.
Earlier this year, the European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) was introduced across airports and, in an effort to minimise travel disruption, member states were permitted to ease some of its requirements. EU nations, including France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain, were allowed to temporarily “lift biometric registration” until the end of summer to provide “some relief for the worst-case scenario”, and temporarily deactivated the EES when necessary.
Numerous European nations took advantage of the relaxed measures, particularly throughout the summer holidays, as the EES mandates that all British passport holders create a digital record and register their biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photograph, upon entering the Schengen zone. However, as of today, Monday, 7 September, the provision easing EES requirements is expected to have expired, with no official announcement of an extension, reports the Mirror.
The EES requires all British passport holders to create a digital record and register their biometric details upon arrival in the Schengen area (Image: Getty Images)
With concerns mounting that the digital system could trigger travel mayhem if no additional flexibility is extended to British holidaymakers crossing into the EU, an industry expert has sounded the alarm about the potential consequences. Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and CEO of passenger-rights company AirAdvisor, explained: “The part of this most travellers have not clocked is that the risk runs both ways. Everyone worries about queues when arriving in Europe, but British passengers can also become trapped at exit control at a Spanish, Italian or other Schengen airport when trying to fly home.
“If a passenger misses an operating flight solely because of a passport-control queue, there is generally no automatic EU261 right to compensation or free rebooking. Airlines may help voluntarily, but passengers should not assume they will, and many insurance policies only cover specified causes such as public transport failure, so the exact wording needs to be checked.”
“If the airline delays the flight because passengers are stuck in the queue, its normal care obligations still apply after the relevant waiting period. If it cancels, passengers remain entitled to a refund or rerouting, even though fixed compensation is unlikely where the border disruption was outside the airline’s control.”
Anton added: “My advice is to treat the return journey as seriously as the flight out. Follow the airport’s arrival-time guidance, go to passport control promptly, alert the airline before the gate closes if the queue becomes excessive and preserve time-stamped evidence showing where the delay occurred.”
The expert shared a warning to Brits travelling to and from Europe (Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
Reports suggest certain member states may continue to permit relaxed measures going forward, though no official confirmation has been made. A European Commission spokesperson told the Guardian at the start of last week: “We are in close and constructive contact with those few member states where some adjustments are needed at certain border crossing points. And during an additional period of operational adjustment that is needed at these few operational border crossing points, the commission stands ready to provide additional support to these member states.”
Meanwhile, Ryanair has urged the EU Commission to “immediately” extend the EES flexibility until next year. Ryanair’s COO Neal McMahon said: “The EU’s handling of EES has been a shambles from start to finish. Airlines, airports and border authorities repeatedly warned Brussels that the rollout was not ready, that it would increase processing times and that it would create excessive queues for passengers. Those warnings were ignored, with EU citizens the ones delayed and disrupted.
“Passengers should not be made to pay the price for the EU’s failed EES rollout. Ryanair calls on the EU Commission to urgently extend the EES derogation until at least Apr 2027, so that airports and border authorities have the time needed to fix malfunctioning kiosks, increase staffing levels and ensure the system can operate efficiently before full enforcement is introduced and passengers are condemned to these excessive border control delays for another season.”
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There’s something wonderfully enchanting about escaping the hectic urban landscape and heading to the peaceful Cornish countryside, where rugged coastlines, quiet woodland walks and picturesque villages make the perfect backdrop for an autumn break.
Cornwall is particularly appealing in the cooler months, when the summer crowds have disappeared and the countryside takes on a cosy, golden glow. For dog owners, it’s also a brilliant time to explore the county’s miles of beaches, coastal paths and open countryside together, before retreating somewhere warm and welcoming.
For couples looking to enjoy a romantic getaway with their four-legged friend in tow, a secluded hideaway can offer the perfect chance to switch off, enjoy the fresh country air and spend some quality time together away from the hustle and bustle.
One snug sanctuary in Cornwall has visitors singing its praises for its welcoming interior and breathtaking setting. Hobbs Hut is a delightful shepherd’s hut tucked away in the countryside, offering an authentic rural escape with panoramic views across Gooseford Lakes and the extensive moorlands of Dartmoor stretching into the distance.
Its peaceful setting makes it an ideal base for autumn walks with the dog, followed by cosy evenings relaxing in the hut and taking in the tranquil surroundings. Upon entering the distinctive accommodation, guests will find a warm open-plan living area that ingeniously accommodates a vintage double bed beneath a lovely arched ceiling, a bijou kitchen, a cosy electric fireplace and a contemporary walk-in shower facility.
Opening the entrance doors enables visitors to relish tranquil outdoor dining while enjoying birdsong from the adjacent woodland and orchard. For couples, there’s something particularly romantic about wrapping up warm and heading out for a bracing autumn walk before returning to a cosy hideaway. When night falls, snuggle up in front of the wood burner or drop off, looking out at the stars.
Those who can tear themselves away from the cosy hut will find plenty to do nearby. Adrenaline Quarry is around 10 miles away, offering zip lines and water activities, while the famous Eden Project is around 30 miles away.
The traditional fishing town of Looe is also just a short drive away, with its sandy beach, pubs, restaurants, independent shops and boat trips. It means there’s plenty to explore while still having a peaceful countryside base to return to.
Budget-conscious holidaymakers could secure a three-night break commencing October 9 for £299 (reduced from £359). At the time of writing, there were no negative reviews. However, due to the hut’s size, some may find it on the small side.
If Hobbs Hut isn’t quite right, this quiet corner of the country is rich in quirky accommodation. Mr Toads Moonlight Retreat in Bude, for example, is another romantic retreat to get away from it all. With a cosy wood burner for warming up after exploring North Cornwall, this property comes with a secluded hot tub nestled amongst the trees and surrounding wildlife for ultimate relaxation.
Other options could be the Grandad’s Net Loft in the harbour town of Porthleven with its characterful waterfront, eateries and coastal walks. Or there’s Tremill Lodge near Wadebridge, a welcoming bungalow perfect for two.
Guests who have already enjoyed a stay at Hobbs Hut have shared their experience on the holidaycottages.co.uk website. One said: “The setting is idyllic and the hut is bijou, but cosy and well kitted out. We had a fabulous stay and found it a great jumping-off point to see the local sights.”
Another added: “A quaint, essentially minimalistic place to stay. Perfectly adequate and comfortable, we (me, my wife and dog) stayed in Hobbs Hut for seven nights.
“Beautiful location, silent and ideally located as a base for exploring Cornwall, with most places to visit about one hour away by car. A lovely host (Rachel) made all the difference. I would recommend this tranquil venue.”
A third wrote: “Lovely cabin, lovely location and a lovely host. Myself, my partner and our dogs really enjoyed the local walks and the total peace and quiet. We’ll be coming back soon!”
Education
Simon Calder settles debate on where the North starts in UK – names seaside town | Travel News | Travel
The north-south divide is a bit like the great scone debate — everyone seems to have an opinion. There is still no universally accepted point at which the north starts, with arguments based on geography, culture, accents and history. Some would draw the line around the Midlands, while others argue that the North begins much further south, around the M62 or even the Watford Gap.
Travel journalist Simon Calder has offered his verdict on one of Britain’s most enduring geographical arguments. He agreed with journalist Chris Moss that a line runs broadly from the Cheshire town of Crewe in the west. Simon believes a precise dividing line runs towards Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast, taking in parts of the Peak District along the way.
“My nomination is the 53rd parallel: stretching across from Crewe to Skegness, but crucially underlining the start of highland England at Dovedale in the Peak District National Park,” he said in his newsletter for The Telegraph.
The 53rd parallel is a line of latitude located 53 degrees north of the Earth’s equator. In the UK, it tracks across England, passing Cheshire, the Peak District, and out toward the Lincolnshire coast.
Calder’s reference to Dovedale coincides with a clear change in the landscape. Here, the flatter countryside of the Midlands gives way to the limestone valleys and exposed hills of the Peak District, a landscape much more associated with northern England.
In that sense, Calder’s proposed boundary follows a tangible shift in the geography of England rather than just a line of latitude.
At the eastern end of his proposed boundary sits Skegness, meaning the popular Lincolnshire resort could have a new claim to fame as the clearest seaside marker for where the north begins.
So, according to one of Britain’s best-known travel journalists, the next time someone asks where the North begins, there is a surprisingly precise answer: the 53rd parallel from Crewe to Skegness.
However, the debate is unlikely to end there. For many people, whether a place is ‘north’ or ‘south’ is more about identity, dialect and local culture.
The Telegraph also revealed signs to watch out for that prove you’re in the north.
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