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Lincolnshire · England
Spiritual Lincoln
If you live in or near Lincoln, this page brings the night sky, the old sites and the seasons together in one place. It covers where to find properly dark skies, what the sun and moon are doing across the year at Lincoln's latitude (53.2°N), the heritage and folklore places nearby, and when to order so your crystals, tarot or candles arrive in time.
Lincoln Cathedral. Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Region Lincolnshire
- Dark skies North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve
- Delivery UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days
Places to visit
Real photographs, with directions. Tap a map link to open the exact spot.
History, folklore and tips
The history
Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for around 200 years, until its central spire fell in 1548. Lincoln Castle holds one of the four surviving copies of the 1215 Magna Carta.
Folklore and tradition
Legend says the Lincoln Imp was a mischievous creature turned to stone by an angel. Its small carving is high in the Angel Choir, and it is now the city's emblem.
Visiting tips
- Lincoln Cathedral charges entry, with free access for worship.
- Look for the Imp near the top of a pillar in the Angel Choir.
- Steep Hill links the cathedral to the lower town.
From the shop
Shop for Lincoln
Mythical creatures for imp lovers, delivered to Lincoln. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days.
Sky almanac for Lincoln
Dark skies and stargazing near Lincoln
Dark skies and stargazing near Lincoln
The nearest certified dark-sky place to Lincoln is North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve, about 128 km (79 miles) away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve, about 153 km (95 miles) away. The best nights are clear, moonless ones around a new moon. The next new moons are on 9 November, 9 December, 7 January, 6 February. Find event dates on the North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve website.
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Lincoln
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Lincoln
At the June solstice on 21 June 2027, the sun rises in Lincoln at about 04:34 and sets at about 21:33 (BST), giving 16h 59m of daylight, 21 minutes more than in London. At the December solstice on 21 December 2026 it rises at about 08:14 and sets at about 15:46 (GMT), giving only 7h 31m. Around the March equinox (20 March 2027), sunrise is about 06:07 and sunset about 18:13. Between roughly 16 May and 29 July, the sun never sinks far enough below the horizon for full astronomical darkness, so the faintest stars and the Milky Way are hard to see. In folk tradition the full moon marks the month. The next full moons fall on 24 November, 24 December, 22 January, 20 February, 22 March. Times are calculated (NOAA formulas) and approximate.
Best times of year
Best times of year
For stargazing from Lincoln, the long nights from October to March are the most rewarding.
On the Geminid peak night of 13–14 December 2026 the sky over Lincoln is fully dark from about 17:53, and the moon is only 21% lit, so it is a very good year for them. The Geminids are the richest shower of the year and the radiant is up almost all night.
For the Perseids in August 2027 the moon is 84% lit and sets over Lincoln at about 01:01, so the best watching is after moonset and before dawn. Full darkness on 12 August starts around 23:17 at 53.2°N.
Even from town you will see the brighter meteors; for the full show, North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve is the nearest certified dark place, about 128 km away.
On 2 August 2027 a partial solar eclipse is visible across the UK, weather permitting. Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Lincoln: local questions
Where is the nearest dark sky reserve to Lincoln?
The nearest certified dark-sky place is North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve, roughly 128 km away in a straight line.
What time is sunrise in Lincoln on the summer solstice?
About 04:34 BST on 21 June 2027, with sunset about 21:33.
Are there ancient or sacred sites near Lincoln?
Yes. Nearby places include The Lincoln Imp, Lincoln Castle and Magna Carta. See the heritage section for details.
How much is delivery to Lincoln?
UK delivery to Lincoln is £3.95 and free on orders over £40. Most orders arrive within 2–5 working days.
Photographs are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown, resized and converted for the web. Folklore is described as tradition. Starseed UK makes no health claims for any product.