July 23, 2012 12.52 pm This story is over 140 months old

Lincoln’s hidden past opens to the public

Roman tour: Posterngate underneath the city centre will be opened for one day this summer.

A site of Lincoln’s ancient Roman history is set to open to the general public on Tuesday, July 31.

Posterngate, a Roman gateway discovered beneath the Royal Bank of Scotland on Bank Street, remains closed for most of the year to help preserve Lincoln’s heritage.

However, members of the public are being given the rare opportunity to tour the historic site for a brief period this summer.

Sally Bleasdale, Collections Access Officer, said: “The site was discovered during excavations in the 1970s and has remained popular with visitors ever since.

“Posterngate itself was gateway that allowed people to access boats on Lincoln’s waterfront.

“It is widely thought that the route was used by merchants and traders when Lincoln’s waterside was a bustling port.”

She added: “Visitors can also see a Roman limestone wall, which used to form part of the main Southern Wall of the old city.”

Tours of the historical gateway will last 15 minutes between 10am and 4pm, starting July 31.

Entry costs will stand at 50p per person, while under fives can enter for free.

Source: Lincolnshire County Council