The Lincoln Cathedral Connected project is designed to bring economic and social benefits to the cathedral, as well as the city of Lincoln. At the core of the project is the new visitor centre, together with creation of the new Dean’s Green and re-landscaped parvis which work together to create a more engaging, dynamic and accessible spaces for visitors to enjoy the cathedral.
The new visitor centre is located on the site of the Grade II listed deanery designed by William Burn. The Deanery has most recently been occupied by the Minster School and had been significantly impacted by a series of alterations and new interventions carried out by the school over a number of years. The building also suffered from a lack of maintenance and the internal fabric had suffered as a result. The roofs were completely overhauled with new slating, leadwork and rainwater goods. The stonework was carefully repairs and lightly cleaned, with all new limestone supplied by the Cathedral quarry and traditional hot-mixed lime was utilised throughout.
Internally the Grade II listed William Burn building has been extensively repaired, converted and repurposed to provide a large refectory, education centre, community rooms and offices. A passenger new lift was added, carefully located to avoid damage
A new link building has been created on the land between the deanery and the cloisters to provide a fully accessible connection with the cathedral. This new building accommodates the shop and exhibition hall displaying the twelfth century Romanesque Frieze, relocated from the cathedral’s west front to protect it from further deterioration.
The new L-shaped link building was carefully designed to address the somewhat awkward geometrical and architectural relationship between the W deanery and the ancient cloisters (surmounted by Sir Christopher Wren’s library), whilst creating vibrant modern spaces required for both exhibition and retail use. The west-facing elevation features angled limestone piers with glazed openings orientated towards the newly-landscaped gardens, contrasting with the perforated bronze panels within the courtyard. The new elevation connects back to the cloisters with a gently curved ashlar wall terminating in a large picture window which focuses on the ‘Dean’s Eye’ rose window of the north transept of the main body of the cathedral itself.
The project also involved extensive works to the previously out-of-bounds Dean’s Green on the north side of the cathedral in order to create a new landscape setting for the visitor centre and to facilitate visitor access around the cathedral precinct.
The lawned gathering space outside the West Front was lowered in the 19th century, creating steps at the main entrance to the Cathedral. Our project restored level access by lifting paving surfaces, and at the same time subtly integrated anti-terrorist measures by enlarging a low railing plinth to make a seating wall. The result is a simple, hard-working space of high quality which serves as a backdrop from which to take in the dramatic architecture and sculpture of the Cathedral entrance.
Deans Green Gardens : Previously a school playground, and before that the site of medieval courtyard houses, this area has been opened up to public access, to create a tranquil contemplative garden at the culmination of a tour of the Cathedral, and at heart of the historic Uphill area of Lincoln. The garden plan creates four spaces: i) a simple lawned entrance green, framed by a yew hedge, leading to ii) a sunny, colourful upper garden with a hedged cafe terrace, fountain and orchard trees, which leads to iii) a sheltered courtyard enclosed by the Deanery restaurant and Exhibition space, and iv) down to a circular lawn in the shade of the Cathedral, adaptable for events. Through the garden, shallow-gradient pathways weave through complex level changes and round retained trees, providing universal access in an archaeologically sensitive Scheduled Ancient Monument site.
