I

n case there’s any confusion: yes, Steep Hill is steep.

Whether you’re running, walking, tip-toeing, pulling or pushing your way up it – Lincoln’s famous incline is enough to leave you sweating and puffing by the time you reach the top.

Now for the good news: you can break it up nicely by calling in at the various independent shops, fancy tearooms and pubs lining the route. You can stop and swap knowing, red-faced glances with other “window shoppers” at Jews House restaurant, before continuing your climb to Lincoln Cathedral.

While you’re up there, it’s worth popping along to the castle where history buffs will find a copy of the Magna Carta (not to be confused with the pub outside).

Now we’ve ticked the culture and history boxes of our tour, it’s onto the important bit: you can’t visit Lincoln without getting some traditional northern grub down you. So head back down the hill, grab a table in Browns Pie Shop , and eat something unhealthy. You deserve it.