Brayford Pool
The Brayford Pool is a natural lake formed from a widening of the River Witham in the centre of the city of Lincoln. It was used as a port by the Romans, who connected it to the River Trent by constructing the Foss Dyke. The Pool has allowed trade to sail into the very heart of Lincolnshire, and it has since been a focus for industry in the city.
- Location map: 53°13’43"N, -0°32’42"W
Today, the waterfront surrounding the pool has a range of hotels, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and a modern University (the University of Lincoln).[1] There is also a year-long programme of events on the waterfront including vehicle displays, music evenings and carnival parades.[2]
History
The Pool has been the focus of Lincoln's urban regeneration since the early 1990s. It is now overlooked by bars, restaurants, a cinema and, most significantly, the University of Lincoln. A lone reminder of the past is the Royal William public house, a traditional pub housed inside a listed building.
The Pool itself is still a port, if not a cargo port as in past ages; it is used as a marina by houseboats and pleasure craft, as well as by anglers and kayakers.[3]
The Brayford Pool is known for its large population of mute swans (Cygnus olor).[3] The swans made the news in 2004, over concerns about the animals' diet and overall health, as well as the appearance on the Pool of a number of Australian black swans (Cygnus atratus).[4][5]
Also located on the Brayford Pool is the Lincoln Unit of the Sea Cadet Corps, an establishment known as T.S. Wrangler.
Brayford Island
The Brayford Island is a man-made island that lies in the Brayford Pool. A single willow tree covers the island. It is also known locally as 'Swan Island' as it is a site for nesting swans.
The island is believed to have been created in the 1960s, but there is still local speculation, based on mediæval finds, that there was an earlier islet or structure here, or a sunken ship, and tales have even been told of buried treasure.[6]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Brayford Pool) |
References
- ↑ Brayford Waterfront (Visit Lincoln)
- ↑ Brayford events (Visit Lincoln)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Explore the Brayford". Visit Lincoln. http://www.visitlincoln.com/about-lincoln/areas-of-lincoln/brayford-waterfront/explore/. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ↑ ""Chips and bread" killing swans". BBC News Online. 10 December 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4084423.stm.
- ↑ Britten, Nick (9 September 2004). "Swans fight it out in cathedral test". Daily Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1471330/Swans-fight-it-out-in-cathedral-test.html. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ↑ 'Is a long-forgotten secret buried beneath the island in the Brayford Pool?': thisislincolnshire.co.uk 21 July 2010 (archived)