Roman Posterngate Tours
Venture below the streets of Lincoln to discover the remains of Roman Lindum Colonia's Posterngate and Southern Wall.
Join the Investigate Learning team on a tour of the Posterngate and Southern Wall which lay hidden beneath modern street level. The Posterngate site was uncovered during excavations in the 1970s. It was a small gateway that gave access to Roman Lincoln from the river. It is widely thought that the route was used by merchants and traders when Lincoln’s waterside was a bustling port. Today, all that remains is the gap in the impressive Southern Wall and the original flagstones of the entrance.
The tour begins at Lincoln Museum where we will give a brief introduction to Lindum Colonia in the Roman section of the archaeology gallery. This will be followed by a short walk down to Saltergate where the remains lie behind an unassuming door in a vacant building. We will spend around 30 minutes below ground where we will tell you about the history of the site and highlight the interesting features that can be seen before giving you a chance to look around and read the display boards. The guided tour ends at Posterngate.
Please note that the remains are down a flight of 17 steps and the light levels are quite low. There is modern flooring which allows visitors to walk around the site but you are not able to walk on the original Roman flagstones.
Places are limited, please book in advance
Thursday 22nd August 2024
1.30pm
£6.50 per person (under 5s are free and do not need a ticket)
What to expect:
The meeting place is in the orientation hall at Lincoln Museum, this is the large space beyond reception with the glass roof. The guide will greet you here and check your booking.
When all the attendees are gathered the tour will begin in the Roman display of the museum. Lincoln Museum is fully accessible for wheelchairs and there is step free access. The guide will give a brief overview of Roman Lincoln and highlight some of the artefacts on display.
The tour group will then move to the Posterngate site. The guide will lead the way. The walk is downhill and usually takes 10 minutes. There are two roads with pelican crossings and two other roads to cross. If you would prefer to avoid this walk please let us know in advance and we can arrange to meet you directly at the Posterngate site.
The Posterngate remains are below ground and only accessible by a flight of 17 steps. The steps are concrete and evenly spaced with a handrail. The floor for visitors is concrete and level. You will not be able to walk on the Roman floor during your visit. There are no barriers along the edge of the concrete floor and there is a small drop down to the uneven Roman floor so please take care not to fall off the edge.
There are overhead lights and the area is well lit. There is very little background noise and the number of people on the tour is limited to 20 so it is not crowded or noisy.
The remains of the Roman wall are around 6 feet high. Natural minerals are present on the surface of the limestone and whilst these are not dangerous we advise you not to touch the walls.
The guide will stand on the Roman floor whilst they explain the site’s history and features and the there will be time for you to explore the space (keeping to the concrete areas). There are boards with pictures and information about Lincoln’s history which you can spend time looking at.
You can stay for as long as you want and the guides are happy to answer questions and chat. You can take photographs for personal use. You do not have to stay until the end of the tour.
The tour ends at Posterngate. If you wish to walk back to the museum with the guide this is ok.
Here at Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery, we welcome all participants; if you still aren’t sure whether this event is accessible for you or someone you care for, please email us at investigate-learning@lincolnshire.gov.uk and we can discuss your access requirements.