January 10, 2018 2.40 pm This story is over 73 months old

Lincoln Cathedral gives out learning backpacks to young explorers

The packs are available on request at the Entry Desk

The Lincoln Cathedral Connected project is giving away new visitor backpacks for families to help them explore different aspects of the building.

The complimentary backpacks, which  feature five different themes, contain booklets, information, replica items, puzzles, challenges, and in some cases real artefacts.

They are designed to engage families with the cathedral’s stories, people, archaeology and architecture through activities.

Themes currently include:

  • ‘Animal Adventure’ for three to six-year-olds, which is about finding the many animal carvings around the cathedral
  • ‘Work, Work, Work’ for six to 11-year-olds, which teaches children about how crafts people keep the Cathedral alive today.

There will also be a ‘Pilgrimage’ pack, ‘Cathedral Creatures’ and ‘Signs and Symbols’ packs coming soon.

The £2,000 initiative is being funded by the Connected project; a Heritage Lottery Fund backed initiative to radically improve the cathedral’s setting and visitor experience, and Lincoln-based Sandford Cascade; a project to encourage confidence within heritage learning.

Education outreach officer at Lincoln Cathedral, Sally Bleasdale, said: “This initiative is an important part of the work we are doing as part of the Connected project to encourage families to visit the cathedral and to learn about this internationally important building and its rich history.

“There are so many parts of the Cathedral that many people won’t have explored yet and these backpacks will allow families to venture deeper into the cathedral and have fun whilst doing so.”

Rachel Bryant, from Sandford Cascade, added: “The scheme has already been well received by the public and I look forward to seeing the other themes introduced in the future for people to enjoy.”

The packs are available on request at the Entry Desk during most opening times.