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Lincoln Castle's new dragon has its first visitors

Eleanor Maslinand
Amy Carr,in Lincoln
Lincolnshire County Council A large sculpture of a grey dragon with its wings outstretched is surveying the scene with striking yellow eyes. Castle walls are behind it.Lincolnshire County Council
The dragon was named after the Battle of Hastings

A new dragon has spread his wings at Lincoln Castle and is keeping a watchful eye over the grounds – and the families flocking to see him.

Hastings, a large scaly sculpture situated on top of the Heritage Skills Centre, is the third dragon to have taken up residence at the castle.

He was inspired by the mythical beasts pictured in the Bayeux Tapestry, and takes his name from the Battle of Hastings.

He joins fellow dragons Lucy and Norman, who are at the other end of the grounds and appear to be bursting out of the castle's walls.

They have been entertaining visitors with smoke and sounds since Lucy arrived in 2022, with Norman joining in a year later.

Luke Stamnas, 32, who was doing some sightseeing in Lincoln with his partner and mum, said he thought Hastings would "keep the kids interested and engaged with history".

Eleanor Maslin/BBC A family photo of three people smiling. A man on the left has short black hair, a moustache and stubble. He is holding a young boy, who has his arm around the man's neck. On the right is a woman with shoulder-length black hair. They are all smiling at the camera. A large sculpture of a grey dragon in front of castle walls is behind them.Eleanor Maslin/BBC
Hastings drew visitors to see him at Lincoln Castle over the weekend

Jackie Williams, 63, who lives in Australia but grew up in Metheringham, south of Lincoln, was showing her son and partner some of the city's sights.

"I didn't know [Hastings] was here," she said.

"I was here a few years ago and saw the other dragons but I think he's quite impressive.

"He doesn't look too scary. He looks like a friendly dragon. I think it's good fun."

Eleanor Maslin/BBC Three people smiling at the camera with a large sculpture of a grey dragon in front of castle walls behind them. On the left, a woman with shoulder-length dark red hair is wearing large sunglasses and a colourful top. In the middle is a bald man with grey clear glasses and a navy jumper. On the right is a woman with long brown hair and thick brown clear square glasses, also wearing a navy jumper.Eleanor Maslin/BBC
Jackie Williams was showing her son and his partner some of Lincoln's sights

Her son's partner, Sarah Campbell, 31, from Glasgow, said: "I'd imagine if I was a kid, I'd think it's the coolest thing ever.

"There's a lot of history here. It's good to have something that can keep children occupied."

Lindsay, from Nottingham, was in the castle grounds with her son, four-year-old Avery, as they peered up at Hastings surveying the scene.

"He's very impressive and I actually think he looks quite friendly," she said.

Eleanor Maslin/BBC A large sculpture of a grey dragon on the left is looking out at a castle grounds with its two wings spread. On the right is an old building with green moss growing on it.Eleanor Maslin/BBC
Hastings lives near Lincoln Crown Court in the castle grounds

Lincoln Castle was built by William the Conqueror soon after the Battle of Hastings.

Stephanie Beecher, events officer at the castle, said: "As a Norman city we really wanted to make the most of the unique opportunity to bring some of our Norman history to life.

"I think the dragons are just something that appeals to everyone of all ages.

"There's the magical side but they're also just so connected to stories of castles."

It is free to visit Hastings on the castle grounds, apart from when the castle is hosting events.

Eleanor Maslin/BBC Two large scaly dragon sculptures look as if they are bursting out of a castle's walls. On the left is the side-profile of a red dragon with a yellow eye and teeth protruding out of its mouth, as well as part of its wing with the rest submerged in the grass. Its tail appears to protrude out of the castle wall. On the right is a grey dragon, with a face, teeth and horns and big claws on its side.Eleanor Maslin/BBC
Hastings joins dragons Lucy and Norman, who live on the other side of the castle grounds

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