The Magnificent Seven

by Brady Haran BBC News Online, East Midlands

The Seven Wonders in pictures

Lincoln Cathedral has topped a poll to find the seven wonders of the East Midlands.

BBC News Online readers voted it as their favourite feature of the region, with the Peak District and Sherwood Forest also making the top three.

Readers nominated more than 80 sites in the East Midlands as possible wonders.

The other four to make the final cut were Chatsworth House, the crooked spire of Chesterfield, Rutland Water and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem inn.

Lincoln Cathedral spokeswoman Helen Brown said the cathedral may have topped the poll because of "how it stands".

SEVEN WONDERS 1. Lincoln Cathedral 2. The Peak District 3. Sherwood Forest 4. Chatsworth House 5. Chesterfield's spire 6. Rutland Water 7. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Have your say on the list

Visible for miles, the cathedral was once the world's tallest building and is perched on a ridge overlooking the city.

Ms Brown, a Lincoln local, said: "It means such a lot to everybody.

"When I was a kid we used to go out for day trips and come back in and it was a competition to see who could see the cathedral first... it sort of feels like home."

The other church to make the final cut was St Mary's and All Saints, in Chesterfield.

It is distinctive for its crooked spire, which was most likely caused by a combination of poor workmanship, untreated timber and the use of heavy lead.

Verger Paul Wilson said: "You only have to ask the people of Chesterfield and they will tell you how proud they are of the crooked spire."

Many visitors mistakenly believe the spire was deliberately twisted then perched upon the church tower, he said.

Chesterfield's spire is strangely crooked

Another Derbyshire landmark to make the final cut was the truly impressive Chatsworth House, just a short drive from Chesterfield.

Comptroller John Oliver said the house alone attracted 360,000 visitors a year, with the surrounding park drawing two million visitors.

The house's location in central England meant people from all over the country felt a sense of ownership, he said.

"At least two thirds of our visitors are repeat visitors.

"We have people who come every single day, which seems quite bizarre and unbelievable."

The house is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.