Judges' Lodgings Museum

Built around 1625, this is Lancaster’s oldest townhouse and was once home to the chilling witch-hunter Thomas Covell. Covell was six times Mayor of Lancaster and Keeper of Lancaster Castle for 48 years. In this latter capacity he was responsible for the imprisonment and death of the Lancashire Witches (1612). The house ceased to be a family home in 1826 and became the Judges’ Lodgings house until 1975, acting as the home to visiting Assize Judges. Today as well as displaying Regency period rooms, it contains two distinct museums, the Gillow Museum where you will find displays on the history and products of the famous Lancaster cabinet making firm Gillows, and the Childhood Museum, the nationally acclaimed "Barry Elder" collection.

Opening times vary. (See website for times)

Shop, refreshments available, limited access for disabled users, admittance to guide dogs