Lincoln on the right track for tourism boom

Lincoln will be having a big day out by train this week as the new-look
Lincoln Castle Revealed and Magna Carta 800 celebrations put the city
centre stage in London.
Promotional banners, staff in medieval costume and even one of King
Johns Barons will be on hand at Kings Cross Station on Wednesday 20
May as Lincoln goes to London.
Commuters at one of the capitals busiest train stations will get a flavour
of the top visitor attractions on offer during 2015, hot on the heels of the
re-opening of Lincoln Castle after its 22m restoration, and the citys
unmissable year of events around the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta.
Lincoln is faster by train will be among the key messages as Lincolnshire
County Council, the Poacher Line Community Rail Partnership, Visit
Lincoln, Virgin Trains East Coast and East Midlands Trains join together for
the Community Rail in the City event.
On hand at Kings Cross will be castle staff in costume plus the brightly
decorated Virgin-sponsored Baron sculpture, just one of 25 statues that
will form a Barons' Charter Trail across Lincoln this summer. Advertising on
the London underground and on digital screens within Kings Cross will
also spread the message about Lincoln being a top destination.
The promotion follows news that new operator Virgin Trains East Coast will
run extra direct London-Lincoln trains on five Saturdays between June and
October 2015 to bring visitors straight to the heart of the citys Magna
Carta 800 celebrations. It is also speeding up its current weekday morning
train to London by 10 minutes, and from May 2019 will add extra regular
weekday direct Lincoln-London services.
Said Virgin Trains East Coast Managing Director David Horne: We are
delighted to help promote Lincoln as a fantastic visitor destination, in such
an important year for the citys history and heritage.
Cllr Colin Davie, Lincolnshire County Council Executive Member for
Economic Development, added: "We all know Lincolnshire is the place to
be in 2015, with the castle opening and Magna Carta 800 celebrations.
We're working hard to get that message out far and wide, encouraging
more people than ever before to come by rail to explore our rich heritage,
beautiful landscapes, sandy beaches and charming county towns."
Raising Lincolns profile even more, the Community Rail Partnership and
Lincolnshire County Council will be at the Department of Transport on 19
May, highlighting the importance of fast, regular train services to and from
Lincoln. Both events are part of the annual Community Rail in the City
initiative.
Jake Kelly, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, said: "With our
recent improvements to the timetable between Nottingham, Newark

Castle and Lincoln there's even more opportunity for people to visit this
great city. We're pleased to be playing our part in the Community Rail in
the City event and helping to promote the many visitor attractions on offer
in Lincoln."
Since opening its gates on 1 April 2015, Lincoln Castle Revealed has seen
visitor numbers almost triple. Funded by Lincolnshire County Council,
Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, the David
Ross Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and other private donations,
it now offers a host of new attractions.
For the first time a Medieval Wall Walk allows visitors to walk the entire
Castle wall, while new interpretation in the Victorian Prison offers a chance
to come face to face with convicts and hear their stories. The David P J
Ross Magna Carta Vault not only displays Lincoln Cathedrals 1215 Magna
Carta one of only four surviving - but an immersive cinema brings the
story of one of the worlds most iconic documents to life.
Among major events still to come in 2015 is Lincolns The Great Magna
Carta Weekend, (13 and 14 June) with free entertainment on offer across
the city. And on Saturday 13 June, Lincoln Castle will host The Magna
Party at the Castle, showcasing local music and dance, culminating in a
new, half-hour, one-off dance based on a theme of freedom from one of
Britains most popular dance groups, Diversity. Tickets for the evening
show cost 13 per adult, 11 concessions and 9 for children.
For more details about Lincoln Castle and 2015 events:
www.lincolncastle.com
For more details on Lincoln and Lincolnshire as a destination:
www.visitlincolnshire.com
- ENDS

Notes to editors
For media information and interviews please contact: Lydia
Rusling, Principal Tourism Officer, Lincolnshire County Council.
Email: Lydia.Rusling@lincolnshire.gov.uk Tel: 01522 550 603
Lincoln Castle Revealed is funded by Lincolnshire County Council, Heritage
Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, the David Ross
Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and other private donations.
Lincoln Castle will open every day (except 2426 December & 31
December - 1 January) from 10am5pm, AprilSeptember, and 10am4pm,
OctoberMarch. Inclusive Ticket: admission to the Medieval Wall Walk,
Victorian Prison and Magna Carta and Guided Tours of the inner bailey,
Adult 12, Concession 9.60, Child 7.20, Family Ticket: (2 adults and up
to 3 children) 31.20. Victorian Prison & Magna Carta: Adult 10,
Concession 8, Child 6. Medieval Wall Walk: Adult 5, Concession 4,
Child 3. Castle & Cathedral Joint Ticket: Adults 16, Concessions 13,

Child 10, Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) 40. Under 5s free.

Inclusive tickets and the Castle & Cathedral joint ticket include a free
return visit within 6 months of purchase.