Lincoln: There's More to Burton Waters Than Meets the Eye

Have you ever heard of the Magna Carta? I’m sure that you have, it has been described by some as being “the greatest constitutional document of all times – the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot.” But did you know this – that it first saw the light of day back in 1215 and one of the only 4 original copies (exemplifications) can be seen at Lincoln Castle a short six minute drive away from our Burton Waters Marina.

And there’s more, far more to be seen, and interesting facts to discover. Grab the entire family and plan a day trip to bring them down to see us, our boats, our Marina, and all the sights, shopping and activities on offer in Lincoln.

Lincoln and the Story of Burton Waters

This is where our family business began life in 1988, and was initially called Lincoln Marina alongside Brayford Pool in Lincoln. The business quickly outgrew its facilities and we moved to the new, purpose-built marina development at Burton Waters on the outskirts of Lincoln.

Tourism brochures describe Burton Waters as being an outstanding development with the main focal point being a picturesque marina. The marina is surrounded by water side houses and apartments and a promenade of specialist shops, pubs and restaurants. Our marina has a range of boats from spacious day or weekend boats, to sleek sports cruisers. The marina feeds into the river Witham, and you can enjoy picturesque walks for miles down the river bank.

The City of Lincoln

A monument commemorating the poet Lord Tennyson, who was born in nearby Somersby in 1809.

Lincoln is a historic Cathedral City in the beautiful county of Lincolnshire with a colourful past that is preserved in a fascinating variety of historic buildings. It was a Roman town rivalling London in importance with the 3^rd century Newport Arch believed to be the only Roman arch still used by traffic.

And wait, before those of you less interested in history, culture and traditions nod off there are other things on offer too. Lincoln is also famous for its Christmas Market – in early December nearly half-a-million people visit the city to buy festive gifts, eat festive food and ride the fairground attractions in the castle grounds and the streets around the cathedral. As well as the vibrant shopping and leisure facilities, it is a popular business and tourism destination. Lincoln has an array of high street shops for you to browse around and the Bailgate area, the centre of the ancient Roman town, near the Cathedral has an assortment of art and craft shops.

Also close by is the 100 hectare West Common, a green space with excellent views of Lincoln Cathedral, where you can ride horses, visit the stables, use the free tennis courts, and you even have the right to roam the public golf course land. As well as Whisby Nature Park, home to plenty of wildlife in its 160 acres of lakes, ponds, woodland, scrub, and grassland. Go exploring and follow the pathways and trails past Grebe Lake, beyond Orchid Glade, and past the Railway Pit into Nightingale Marsh and through the Dead Forest (filled with dead birch).

Here’s a smattering of what’s on offer within the city centre with of course the centrepiece being Lincoln Cathedral built by the Normans in 1088 and is one of the most visited cathedrals in England. There are daily church services led by the resident choir.
Lincoln Castle.

Lincoln Castle, built by William the Conqueror after an entire quarter of the town had been cleared in 1068. This is where you can view the original copy of the Magna Carta.

Nearby is the fully restored Victorian Prison where prisoners as young as eight were kept in isolation for crimes ranging from food theft to murder.

In the Upper Town and Steep Hill is the Jew's House, a Norman stone building dating from about 1170, England’s oldest domestic residence, a Jewish merchant’s house, now a restaurant.

At the Museum of Lincolnshire Life amongst many other interesting exhibits, a star attraction is the country's oldest WWI-era tank, the first such war machines having been built nearby.

Only opened in 2018 and already a popular tourist attraction in Lincoln is the International Bomber Command Centre, which tells the story of Britain’s Bomber Command during WWII and where you can enjoy a 1940’s afternoon tea at the on-site café.

For the slightly more energetic is the climb of the 150 steps at Tattershall Castle, built for the Lord Treasurer of England, Ralph Cromwell, in 1440, to the battlements and see the magnificent views of the countryside.