The diocese was then the largest in England, extending from the River Thames to the Humber Estuary.

Because of this historic link, for a long time Banbury remained a peculiar of the Bishop of Lincoln.

The modern diocese remains notoriously extensive, having been reportedly referred to by Bob Hardy, Bishop of Lincoln, as "2,000 square miles of bugger all" in 2002.

Alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese which reject the ministry of priests who are women) is provided by the provincial episcopal visitor, Norman Banks, Bishop suffragan of Richborough, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his work there.

The changes to the archdeaconries enacted by the resulting pastoral scheme were announced on 15 November:[12] The diocese produces a bi-monthly newspaper, Crosslincs.