Lancaster
Lancaster is a small city in Lancashire with a population of around 45,000. Preston is the administrative centre of the county but Lancaster is its county town or ‘capital’. The wider local authority district encompasses surrounding towns such as Morecambe and Heysham, and boasts a population of around 140,000.
The historic city has strong connections with the British monarchy. The Duchy of Lancaster, one of only two duchies in England, provides income for the Queen in her role as the Duke of Lancaster. In 1937 Lancaster’s royal ties were formally recognised when King George VI granted it city status.
Lancaster University was founded in 1964 and now provides top class education to around 12,000 students.
Attractions & Things To Do
The impressive Lancaster Castle was founded in the 11th century and over the years has played an important role in the city’s history. In 1612 the famous trials of the Pendle Witches were held here and in 1975 the Birmingham Six were found guilty here. Until the beginning of 2011 the castle was still a functioning prison.
Next to the castle is the Lancaster Priory, originally established as a Benedictine priory around the same time as its neighbour. It contains a number of interesting features including 14th century oak choir stalls, a Jacobean pulpit, and the chapel of the King’s Own Royal Regiment. It is open to the public and admission is free.
Just down the road from the castle and priory is the Judges Lodgings’ museum. This 17th century Grade I listed building was once the home of Thomas Covell, Keeper of Lancaster Castle and the man responsible for the imprisonment and interrogation of the Pendle Witches. The upper floor of the building now houses a collection of Gillow furniture while the lower features a gallery devoted to antique toys and dolls. Outside the building is Covell Cross, named after its former resident and designed by famous Lancaster architects Austin and Paley.
Also nearby is the Cottage Museum, built in 1739 it offers an insight into ordinary Victorian life. It’s open in the afternoons from Easter to September.
Lancaster City Museum is housed in the late 18th century Old Town Hall on Market Square. It opened in 1923 and traces the history of Lancaster from the Roman era to the present day. It boasts great collections of Roman artefacts, fine and decorative art, and also houses the museum of the King’s Own Royal Regiment.
During the 18th century Lancaster was one of the busiest ports in the country. In 1985 the old Custom House at St George’s Quay, designed by Richard Gallow of the city’s famous furniture manufacturers, opened as the Lancaster Maritime Museum. Displays here explore Morecambe Bay, the fishing industry, the city’s role in the slave trade, and more.
Further information about Lancaster Maritime Museum, the Judges’ Lodgings, and the Cottage Museum can be found on the Lancashire Museums website.
The Ashton Memorial is the most prominent landmark in the city. It is one of many attractions at the beautiful Williamson Park, built by local millionaire James Williamson at the turn of the century.
There are two theatres in the city centre; The Dukes and The Grand. The Dukes also functions as a cinema, showing mainly art house and foreign language films. More mainstream movies can be seen at the 6-screen Vue Cinema on Church Street.
The Lune Valley is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt rural areas in North West England. One of the best ways to see it is to complete the Lune Valley Ramble. The 17 mile route begins in Lancaster and ends in Kirkby Lonsdale. On the way there are many interesting sights and villages including the Lune Millennium Bridge, the Lune Aqueduct and Lancaster Canal, Halton, the Crook O’Lune, Caton, Hornby and Hornby Castle, Arkholme, and the Devil’s Bridge.
Attractions outside the centre include Leighton Hall, home of the famous Gillow family, and Carnforth Station, the setting for the classic film Brief Encounter.
More information about all these attractions can be found at the Lancaster Visitor Information Centre, located in the Storey Creative Industries Centre.
Accommodation
Lancaster offers a good choice of accommodation options given its relatively small size.
Popular choices include the 4 star Sun Hotel, a refurbished 17th century inn in the city centre, Penny Street Bridge, the 3-star Holiday Inn, and The Ashton, the only 5-star rated accommodation in the city.
Shops and Shopping Centres
Lancaster city centre is mainly pedestrianised and boasts two shopping centres, Marketgate and the St Nicholas Arcades.
The city gained its market charter in 1193 and today boasts three permanent markets. Lancaster Indoor Market is open Monday to Saturday, while the outdoor Charter Market is a traditional outdoor market held every Wednesday and Saturday. The Assembly Rooms Market is housed in an 18th century building on King Street and features stalls selling everything from period clothing to antiques and collectables.
The surrounding countryside is home to a plethora of specialist food producers and shops. Much of their produce is on sale at the Lancaster Farmers Market, held in the Market Square on the second Saturday of each month.
Retail parks in Lancaster include the Kingsway Retail Park and Parliament Street Retail Park.
Transport
Car
The M6 motorway lies just east of the Lancaster city centre and offers quick and easy access to and from Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Kendal, Penrith, and Carlisle. Junction 34 offers the quickest access to the centre while Junction 33 is suitable for visitors going to Lancaster University.
The A6 runs parallel to the motorway and connects Manchester to Carlisle, passing through Preston, Lancaster, Carnforth, Kendal, and Penrith.
There are numerous car parks in Lancaster city centre. A comprehensive list can be found on the Lancaster City Council website.
Train
Lancaster train station is situated in the city centre (address and postcode: Meeting House Lane, Lancaster LA1 5NW) and is on the West Coast Mainline.
Virgin Trains run trains from Glasgow to Birmingham New Street, calling at Carlisle, Lancaster, Preston, Wigan, Warrington, and Crewe.
Virgin Trains also run a train from Glasgow to London Euston, calling at Carlisle, Lancaster, Preston, Wigan, and Warrington.
The train from Lancaster to London Euston takes approximately 2½ hours.
First TransPennine Express operates a service between Barrow and Manchester Airport, calling at various stations including Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands, Arnside, Carnforth, Lancaster, Preston, Bolton, and Manchester Piccadilly.
They also operate trains from Manchester Airport to Glasgow/Edinburgh and Manchester Airport to Windermere. Both these services call at Lancaster and Manchester Piccadilly.
The train from Lancaster to Manchester Piccadilly takes around one hour.
Northern Rail offers a local service between Lancaster and Morecambe, calling at Bare. They also run trains between Leeds and Morecambe that call at Lancaster.
The train journey from Lancaster to Morecambe lasts just over 10 minutes.
For ticket prices and train times to and from Lancaster visit the National Rail Enquiries website.
Air
The closest airport to Lancaster is Blackpool International Airport (37 miles by road), but Manchester Airport (64 miles by road) offers a far greater number of destinations.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 70 miles from the city.
