Brayford Pool
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Brayford Pool is a natural pool formed from a widening of the River Witham in the centre of the city of Lincoln in England. It was used as a port by the Romans – who connected it to the River Trent by constructing the Foss Dyke – and has a long industrial heritage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Today, the waterfront surrounding the pool is home to a range of hotels, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and a modern University (the University of Lincoln).<ref name="VL brayford">Brayford Waterfront (Visit Lincoln)</ref> There is also a year-long programme of events on the waterfront including vehicle displays, music evenings and carnival parades.<ref name="VL brayford events">Brayford events (Visit Lincoln)</ref>
History and profileEdit
Brayford Pool is the oldest inland harbour in the United Kingdom.<ref>14 Things Lincoln (England) is Known and Famous For. Hey Explorer. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2023.</ref> The adjacent land is known variably as Brayford Waterfront and Brayford Wharf.
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. The Pool is used as a marina by houseboats and pleasure craft, as well as by anglers and kayakers.<ref name=VL>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Brayford Pool is known for its large population of mute swans (Cygnus olor).<ref name=VL/> The swans made the news in 2004, over concerns about the birds' diet and overall health, as well as the appearance on the Pool of a number of Australian black swans (Cygnus atratus).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Also located on the Brayford Pool is the Lincoln Unit of the Sea Cadet Corps – T.S. Wrangler.
Brayford Island, also known as Swan Island, is a man-made island in the Pool. Speculation about its origins has led it to be of historical interest.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>