Lincoln Castle closed for three months ahead of £22m revamp reveal

The gates of Lincoln Castle will be bolted for three months as its £22 million regeneration project reaches the last hurdle.

As of 4pm on Tuesday, December 23, the attraction will be closed to the public. As previously reported, the closure will be in place until the new-look castle is revealed on April 1, 2015.

Visitors to the castle, alongside the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, will see a number of changes and additions in the ground of the attraction:

• A new vault housing the Magna Carta will give people a widescreen cinematic experience of the story of King John, the barons and the birth of the Great Charter
• People will be able to explore the towers and dungeons of the Medieval Wall Walk with a brand new informative and atmospheric audio guide and spectacular views over Lincoln and the cathedral
• The revamped Victorian Prison and separate system chapel will allow people to come face-to-face with convicts from the past and hear their stories with brand new interpretation including films, panels and interactive digital screens
• The attraction will also have an all new cafe and castle shop

The site of the Magna Carta vault. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Approximately 150,000 people visit Lincoln Castle every year and project managers at Lincolnshire County Council are predicting a 29-55% increase in the overall value of Lincoln tourism once the attraction is revealled.

This translates to a £36-68 million boost for the local economy and around 600-1,100 new jobs.

Lincoln’s new Magna Carta vault will be ready in time for the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the document. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Councillor Nick Worth, Executive Member for Culture and Heritage, said: “This is an extremely ambitious project, and one that will put Lincolnshire firmly in the spotlight.

“The castle will be the only place in the world where Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest can be seen together, and these improvements will give them the home they deserve.

“This will make the castle an attraction of international importance, bringing in many more visitors from near and far.

“I’m sure people will be impressed when we unveil the all new Lincoln Castle in April, giving them their first chance to see the improvements first-hand.”