Lincoln Newport Arch and Uphill

Summary

The only Roman arch in Britain still carrying vehicular traffic — a 3rd-century Roman gateway at the north end of the medieval Bail, with a complete period townscape of Georgian and medieval buildings climbing to the cathedral.

About this location

Newport Arch on Bailgate in Lincoln is the northern gatehouse of the Roman town of Lindum Colonia, built in the 2nd-3rd century AD and still standing to full arch height. The arch is the northernmost road in Lincoln’s Roman street grid and carries modern road traffic through the arch opening — the only Roman arch in Britain still used by vehicles.

The surrounding area — Bailgate and the Bail — is the area of the Roman and medieval town on the hill above the River Witham. The Cathedral Quarter runs north from the arch to Lincoln Cathedral (one of the tallest medieval structures in the world until its spire fell in 1549). The streets — Bailgate, Steep Hill, The Strait — are narrow medieval-plan streets with Georgian and Victorian commercial buildings at ground level and an almost complete absence of modern development pressure.

For productions, Newport Arch and the Bail give a period townscape of unusual continuity — Roman structure, medieval plan, Georgian and Victorian buildings, no modern intrusion. The combination with Lincoln Cathedral (a short walk south and visible from most of the Bail) creates a complete historic city quarter. City of Lincoln Council handles street filming permits.