An extensive programme of repair and maintenance work to Lincoln Castle will begin this summer.
The works will target the walls, towers and other historic structures to keep them safe and open to the public.
Lincolnshire County Council, which looks after the 958-year-old monument, says they will secure its future for years to come.
The work will take place around the summer concerts and other events held at the castle to ensure they can go ahead as normal.
Here’s what will take place once they are given final approval:
Current work
(Ending March 2026)
- Urgent repairs to the Westgate and Eastgate
First phase
(Summer 2026 – Winter 2026)
- Urgent masonry repairs to Observatory Tower, which is currently closed to the public due to the risk
- Stonework repairs on Lucy Towers
- Emergency works to the inner face of the castle walls in high-priority areas
- Rebuilding steps and walltops of the eastern side of the wall walk
Second phase
(Summer 2027 onwards)
- Surveying the outer faces of the castle walls to look for needed repairs
- Minor masonry works to the Bath House, Gatehouse Lodge and inside Cobb Hall
- Alterations to Lucy Tower to reduce risk
Third phase
(Date to be determined)
- Any repairs to outer walls that are identified.
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The cost of the works is currently considered commercially-sensitive as the council is still procuring contractors.
This year’s budget contains £1.9 million of extra funding for the castle, which will likely rise to £5million over the following two financial years, before returning to £500,000 afterwards.
Lincolnshire County Council’s culture committee heard how vital the planned works were at a meeting on Friday, March 6.
“We’ve got a multi-year investment in the castle walls to bring them up to a safe, maintainable standard,” Dave Pennington, head of capital projects and professional services, said.
“We’ve been carrying out reactive repair work since 2024 which is inefficient.
“It’s now apparent we need more strategic long-term efforts to bring them back up to standard.”
He said the council may look into hiring in-house stonemasons to carry out future works, rather than hiring contractors.
The castle generates over £1.5 million each year, with is put into the running of other cultural centres like the Lincoln Museum and the Usher Gallery.
It also adds £7 million to the local economy, according to council figures, plus another £4 million for the summer concerts.
The programme of work will need final sign-off from the Executive committee next month.
Jamie Waller
Local Democracy Service
