From the rear side cover: This volume in the Survey of Lincoln neighbourhood series explores a part of the city that today is principally associated with High Street shopping, commerce and leisure activities. It focuses upon the city centre from the River Witham towards Castle Hill, from Orchard Streer in the west to Broadgate and Lindum Road to the east. As with other booklets in this series, this volume examines the buildings and structures in the district, tracing the area's development from the Roman period until the twenty-first century. It explores buildings that are still standing and others that no longer form part of the towns cape. Prominent surviving buildings such as the Stonebow, Jews' Court, the Theatre Royal, the Drill Hall and the Central Library are considered alongside a range of other buildings and structures that have either changed use over time or have been demolished, despite at some point having been important elements in the life of the city.

The district has been used both by the city's residents and visitors over time for a range of activities - including work, consumption, worship, education and leisure. All of these feature in the volume's chapters which aim to explore parts of this neighbouthood that have either been relatively neglected, or which provide new interpretations for consideration.