THE STORY OF
SINCE 1882
The Tower’s been many things.
Open fields. Stables. A garage. A lawnmower shop. And since 1990, a place for people. A place to gather, to eat, to drink, to stay.
It started with Philippa Andrew, or Philly, as most knew her.
In the summer of 1990, she opened The Tower Hotel with her dad, Jim, a local builder with big plans. Philly made it what it was: not just a hotel, but a place where details mattered and people felt looked after. She ran it with spirit, with warmth, and with the kind of grit you don’t often see.
She left too soon, but what she built still stands.
The eras
1882
the field & stables
Lincoln was still open land.
Alfred Shuttleworth built stables here. They’re still part of the walls.
steam & engineering
The Shuttleworths add a motor garage.
Lincoln’s industrial grit lives in the bricks.
1909
1927
the tower garage & lawnmower shop
For 60 years, it’s a place to refuel, repair, and keep things moving.
the tower hotel
Jim Andrew and daughter Philippa open the doors. Philly ran it with warmth, wit and guts, setting the standard we still live by.
1990
Now
the tower
Still independent, still family, an important part of Historic Lincoln. Plus, the kind of spot you want to find yourself in.
meet the tower team
Adam
GENERAL MANAGER
The captain. Ten years in, still steering the ship with humour and steady hands. Keeps the chaos fun and the standards high.
Holly
RESTAURANT MANAGER
Started running plates at 15, now runs the whole show. Equal parts detail-obsessed and people-loving. Brides trust her, chefs fear her.
Jack
BAR MANAGER
Cocktails, cask, craft, if it’s behind the bar, Jack’s perfected it. Warm welcome included, hangover not his problem.
Louisa
HOTEL MANAGER
Handles guests, quirks, and crises with a grin. Knows half the regulars by name, the other half by drink order.
Karen
FOH MANAGER
Known as “Mumma T.” Payroll one minute, pulling pints the next. Fifteen years in, still the heart of the house.
Finn
OWNER
Grew up in the place. Still here, pushing it forward without losing the roots. Big on people, big on keeping the soul intact.
Marco
SUPERVISOR
Energiser-in-chief. Always switched on, always smiling. A favourite of staff and regulars alike.
Craig
HEAD CHEF
Learnt from Lincoln’s best, now leads his own kitchen. Passion in every plate, teamwork in every service. His food talks loud without showing off.
Dotty
DIRECTOR OF VIBES
Small legs, big energy. Official greeter, snack scout, occasional diva. Pretty sure she runs the place (and honestly, she might).
