Bishop's Palace

The ruins of Bishop's Palace sit on the edge of Lincoln, a proper slice of medieval ambition that's mostly gone to ground level now. What remains are the foundations and lower walls of what was once the residence of the Bishop of Lincoln - one of the most powerful figures in medieval England. You're walking around the footprints of grandeur, really, picking out where the great hall would have stood, tracing the outlines of domestic quarters.

It's worth an hour if you're into archaeology or medieval history, less if you're after something more dramatic or intact. The setting on the cathedral close is the real draw - you get Lincoln's magnificent cathedral looming beside it, which rather steals the thunder from these broken stones. The site's free to wander, though there's precious little interpretation on the ground, so you'll want to do some reading beforehand or pick up information from Lincoln's visitor centre nearby.

Families with younger children might find it a bit abstract - there's no reconstructed buildings or interactive elements, just archaeological reality. But if you're staying at one of the caravan parks around Lincoln - South Cliff's only three miles out, or Langdale Lakes if you want more facilities - it's an easy addition to a morning exploring Lincoln proper. Combine it with the cathedral, the castle, and the Roman sites scattered about town, and you've got a solid day. The Bishop's Palace works best as part of that bigger picture rather than a destination in itself.