Lancaster Castle
It is commonly believed that Lancaster Castle was founded at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Poitou, an Anglo-Norman aristocrat who was given a large part of Lancashire by William II.
The original castle was built on the site of an old Roman fort and was a timber construction. Over the years it was heavily fortified, modified, and extended.
Major buildings standing today include the Keep, Gatehouse, Shire Hall, Hadrian’s Tower, and the Well Tower.
The Castle Today
The Keep
The Keep is the oldest part of the castle and is thought to have been built in the mid-12th century by David I of Scotland. The four-storey tower is 66 feet high and its outer walls are 10 feet thick. The upper storey was rebuilt in the late 16th century to guard against a possible Spanish invasion.
Gatehouse
The Gatehouse consists of the main entrance, protected by a portcullis and flanked by two semi-octagonal towers. It was built at the beginning of the 15th century by Henry IV.
Shire Hall
The Shire Hall and Crown Court stand at the western end of the castle. The building was designed by architect Thomas Harrison and finished in 1798. The interiors were completed in 1802 by artist Joseph Gandy.
Hadrian’s Tower
Hadrian’s Tower stands at the south-western corner of the castle and dates back to the early 13th century. The exterior of the tower was refaced in the 18th century but the original stonework is still visible from the inside.
The Well Tower (Witches’ Tower)
The Well Tower dates from the early 14th century. It is also known as the Witches’ Tower as it was used to imprison the Pendle Witches prior to their trial.
Guided Tours
Admission to the castle is by guided tour only.
Until March 2011 most of the castle was in active use as a prison. It is hoped in the future that the whole castle will open as a tourist attraction but currently only the western end is covered by the tour.
The full guided tour currently includes the Shire Hall, Hadrian’s Tower, Old Cells, Crown Court, Drop Room, and Grand Jury Room.
There is still a functioning court at the castle, so on weekdays tours may be restricted. The best time to visit is at weekends when the court is not in session.
Shire Hall
This magnificent 10-sided room contains a display of over 600 heraldic shields.
Hadrian’s Tower
Hadrian’s Tower contains a number of interesting artefacts relating to the castle’s history.
The scold’s bridle was used as a punishment for gossiping women. The iron cage-like device was fitted to the woman’s head and has a protruding tongue piece which was inserted into the mouth to restrain the tongue.
Other items include shackles and chains used for prisoners being deported to Australia, and lunatic chairs and a straight jacket dating from the time when the castle was a lunatic asylum. There’s also a Roman altar, discovered in the late 18th century during the construction of Shire Hall.
Old Cells
The old cells were rediscovered in 1931. They are small and cramped and would only have been lit from a small opening above the 2-inch thick 16th century solid oak doors.
Crown Court
Until 1835 the court at Lancaster Castle was the only one in Lancashire allowed to host assizes (periodic criminal courts hearing the most serious cases). Over the years the hundreds were sentenced to death here, and thousands more sent to prison or deported.
The court today has changed very little since it was built over 200 years ago. Items of interest include the branding iron at the back of the dock.
Drop Room
The Drop Room stands at the north-western end of the castle and was used to prepare prisoners for execution. Condemned prisoners would be led out of here to Hanging Corner where their death would be watched by large crowds.
The last public execution at the castle took place in 1865. Public executions were banned in the UK in 1868, but executions were performed inside the castle until 1910.
Today, the Drop Room is the place where juries retire to consider their verdict. It contains a number of interesting items such as Jane Scott’s Chair (used in the 1828 execution of Jane Scott – a murderer who was so weak she was carried to the gallows on this chair) and the Hanging Bell (formerly housed in the Gatehouse and rung for executions).
Grand Jury Room
This room is situated above the Drop Room and was where the grand jury met to decide whether there was enough evidence in a case to justify it going to trial. England abolished grand juries in 1933 and today the room contains some fine examples of 19th century Gillow furniture.
Opening Times & Admission Prices
Lancaster Castle is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is by guided tours only, but advance booking is not required. Tours last 1 hour and run every 30 minutes from 10.30 am until 4 pm.
Tickets cost £5 for adults and £4 for children/seniors. Family tickets priced at £14 are also available.
Events
Throughout the year Lancaster Castle hosts a diverse series of events including musical and theatrical performances, Halloween and evening tours, and children’s activities. For further details visit the official Lancaster Castle website.
Lancaster City Council’s annual bonfire night firework display is also held here.
Prison
Throughout its lifetime Lancaster castle has held the Pendle Witches, WWI German prisoners of war, Jacobites, lunatics, the Birmingham Six, debtors, and Quakers.
In recent years it functioned as HMP Lancaster Castle, a prison used to house just over 200 Category C prisoners.
At the beginning of 2011 Ken Clarke, Secretary of State for Justice, announced that the prison would shut in March. Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council hope to turn it into a major tourist attraction.
Location
Lancaster Castle sits on a hill at the north-western corner of the city centre, just a short walk from the train station.
Reviews / Comments / Additional Information
Whilst visiting the cells of the past I was trying to picture the cells of the present. Excellent gentleman guide.
Certainly one of the best castles we have visited.