With the impressive, imp-ridden Cathedral towering over the city atop the suitably named ‘Steep Hill’ (believe me, the cathedral can’t take your breath away when that damn hill already has), Lincoln is a city of several faces.

The northern historic quarter, with cobbled streets lined with specialist boutiques, delicatessens and exclusive chocolate and whiskey shops, surrounds the Lincoln castle and its neighbour the cathedral (where parts of the Da Vinci Code were shot). This area is the main focus for the summer tourist hordes and the festive shoppers at the tackily magical Christmas Market. 

Down the hill the city is home to the University of Lincoln, a young uni based largely around the old roman Brayford Pool. The main Brayford campus has seen millions invested, with new Student union facilities and performing arts centre next door giving the city centre a fresh look to it. The paint has barely dried in the award winning architecture building along with the Grand Central library, based in a funkily refurbished old redbrick railway warehouse. 

The reputation for the uni is growing, and the staff seem very committed to student welfare and development. The city centre is almost completely pedestrianised, with brand name shops, a selection of independent clothes stores and a plenty of bars and restaurants. The nightlife is colourful but limited, with plenty of pubs and bars but only a couple of clubs worth the entrance fee.