Preserving Lincoln for the next 600 years

For almost 600 years, Lincoln’s buildings have been more than stone and mortar. They are places of learning, homes and havens for students, and the backdrop to memories that generations of alumni still hold close.

From the earliest buildings of the 1430s, including the Dining Hall and Kitchen, to the modern EPA Centre, Lincoln’s estate reflects centuries of academic life. Caring for such an eclectic collection of historic and modern spaces requires constant attention, sensitive renewal, and careful long-term planning.

In recent years, the College has made significant progress in caring for its historic estate. Projects have included refurbishing student accommodation and shared spaces, improving accessibility, investing in sustainability, and carrying out essential behind-the-scenes infrastructure work. Together, these efforts help ensure Lincoln remains welcoming, functional, and fit for modern life.

There is, however, still much to do. Upcoming priorities include refurbishing the main site Lodge to improve accessibility, replacing equipment in the medieval section of the College kitchen, undertaking feasibility studies to help decarbonise parts of the estate, and carrying out vital but largely invisible infrastructure upgrades, such as improvements to the plant rooms in the Bear Lane complex.

As Lincoln approaches its 600th anniversary, our aim is simple: to pass the College on in good shape for the next 600 years. A gift to the Historic Spaces Fund during Giving Day helps preserve and thoughtfully modernise the very bricks and mortar of the College, enabling us to respond to emerging challenges and invest in long-term sustainability.

Your support helps ensure that Lincoln’s historic spaces continue to serve students, staff, and Fellows today and for generations to come.