Newport Arch — Ninth Legion Enigma

Your quest begins at Newport Arch, in the northern part of Lincoln's upper town. This 3rd-century Roman gate, the inner face of Lindum Colonia's northern gate, is the only Roman arch in Great Britain still used daily by road traffic. It is even one of only three surviving Roman arches in the world still standing. Restored after a truck collision in the 1960s, it also bears medieval modifications and later additions visible on its northern face. It is here, at the heart of this historic monument, that the first clues from the Legio IX Hispana materialize to guide you in your exploration of Britannia's heritage.

Continue your investigation in the historic Bailgate district, where the remains of Lindum Colonia, a major Roman settlement in northern Britannia, are revealed. The northern Roman wall is still partially visible near Newport Cottage, testifying to the 1st-century AD military fortification, which developed in the 2nd-3rd centuries. As you head towards St Paul in the Bail, a medieval parish church in Lincoln, you walk in the footsteps of the Roman governors of Britannia, administrators of this city. The church, rebuilt and modified several times over the centuries, stands near the Roman sites, merging medieval history with Lincoln's ancient past.

The route then takes you to the administrative and commercial heart of Lindum Colonia: the Roman Forum. Its remains are visible directly in front of the White Hart Hotel, in the Bailgate area. This nerve center of the Roman city, with its partly preserved ruins accessible on foot, transports you back to the time of markets and imperial decrees. Not far from there, the Mint Wall, a Roman remnant of Lindum Colonia's defensive system, reinforces the immersion in Lincoln's history. Accessible a short walk from the historic center, it is a tangible part of Lincoln's still visible Roman archaeological heritage, recalling the military might of the Legio IX Hispana.

As you explore this historical scavenger hunt, you will encounter Lincoln Castle, a Norman fortress built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. Located in Lincoln's upper town, near the Roman archaeological route, this castle retains architectural elements from the Middle Ages and the Norman period, offering a striking contrast to the Roman ruins. This architectural juxtaposition illustrates the richness of Lincoln's heritage, where eras overlap without erasing each other. Every step on this thematic East Midlands circuit reveals a new layer of history, from the Roman legions to the Norman builders.

Your GPS scavenger hunt in Lincoln concludes after covering the ~1.5 km that connect the eras. You have traversed Lincoln's upper town, explored Roman archaeological sites and medieval buildings, and deciphered the secrets of the Legio IX Hispana. This outdoor escape game Lincoln is not just a simple walk: it is an interactive Lincoln tour that has brought to life the dates, proper names, and events that shaped this East Midlands city. You leave with a deep understanding of Lincoln's history, from the Romans to William the Conqueror, and a new perspective on Britannia's heritage, enriched by the revelations of augmented reality.