Lancaster Accommodation

Lancaster Lancashire Lancs UK Maritime Museum, Lancaster Canal, Dukes Cinema, England

Lancaster, from which the county derives it's name, is a historic journey indeed with ample evidence of Roman settlement, Georgian pomp and Victorian civic philanthropy gone particularly mad - the Ashton Memorial is particularly excessive!!! Lancaster's castle, looming over the town on the hill, is medieval in origin but now serves as prison and crown courts. Tours will take you down into the castle dungeons, as far as we know not in use for contemporary prisoners! Witch trials were held in the castle in 1612.

There's a twice weekly open air market, and Lancaster centre is crammed with specialist shops and all the regular names! Take time to mosey on down to the Customs House down on the quay which is now the Maritime Museum. There's some great pubs down on the quay also! Lancaster Canal runs through the town, so picturesque canal walks along the towpath are certainly on the menu in Lancaster.

Lancaster - Victorian Civic Philanthropy Gone Mad!

Ashton Memorial, the Taj Mahal of the north indeed, with adjacent Butterfly House and Mini Beast Enclosure. This folly has got to be the mother of all grotesque Victorian monuments in the North West and Yorkshire, with of course the Wainhouse Tower, also a folly, in Halifax coming in a close second (link). Lord Ashton paid his workers a pittance, therefore leaving ample funds to plough into stone edifices looming over the town to remind everyone what a sadistic industrialist he was! Check out the website - which gives more of the history and excellent critical commentary and analysis. It's a weird place, sporting fabulous views of Lancaster if you make the hike to the top.

Ashton Memorial, Williamson Park, Lancaster, T: 01524 33318, www.williamsonpark.u-net.com

Check out also: Lancaster City Museum, Old Town Hall, Market Square, Lancaster. T: 01524 64637. Free entrance, and a museum which concentrates on the history and archaeology of Lancaster.

The Maritime Museum and the Lancaster Canal

Like Liverpool, Lancaster's growth was built on the back of trade with America and Africa - including both slaves and commodities. In fact the port at Lancaster actually handled more 'cargo' than Liverpool. At the Maritime Museum (once the Custom House, built 1764) on the Quay in Lancaster you can explore this history and details on the Port of Lancaster. Check it out - it's our history, we should know it!

The Lancaster Canal and it's history is also explored in the Maritime Museum. Officially opened in 1797, it was initially a 43 mile section between Preston and Tewitfield. The northern reaches to Kendal were completed later in 1819. The aim of this canal was to improve the trade between Kendal, Lancaster, Preston and Westhoughton - limestone was needed for soil in the South and coal went up to supply industry in the North. The canal, aptly named, runs through the heart of Lancaster and marks the history of the town.

www.waterways.org.uk www.britishwaterways.co.uk

Check out the Lune Aqueduct running 600ft across and 60ft above the River Lune

Independent Cinema in Lancaster

Dukes is a cinema and a theatre, and has just had a massive refurbishment. It's a great venue for independent and mainstream cinema, often with themed events running alongside. Check the website out for full programme listings.

DUKES, Moor Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1QE Tickets - 01524 598500, www.dukes-lancaster.org

Lancaster Castle

Booking office open 10am-5pm, booking of tours recommended, contact T: 01524 64998 Check out the dungeons, where the witches were condemned to die and the Crown Court where convicts were condemned to be shipped over the Australia. The castle sits on the site of Roman fortifications, but the current construction was erected mostly in the 13th and 14th centuries, excepting the Norman keep.

Lancaster Castle www.lancastercastle.com

Lancaster Priory & Parish Church, Castle Hill, Lancaster. T: 01524 65338 - situated on a site where a church has stood since AD630. This priory was build in the 15th century in a Perpendicular style.

Lancaster Tourist Information Centre, 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster LA1 1YN, T: 01524 32878

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