A Royal Lancaster Walk

A Royal Lancaster Walk 
2.3 miles
Home to the Kings Castle of the North, Lancaster has had a strong royal connection for centuries. So what better way to celebrate the upcoming coronation of King Charles III than with a stroll around this beautiful historic city. 
Our Royal Lancaster walk starts and ends at Lancaster Castle, taking in the River Lune, Lancaster Canal, and some of the city’s most loved, and listed, buildings. While on the walk there are plenty of places to stop, from coffee in the Castle by local coffee connoisseurs Atkinsons, catch a matinee at The Dukes or grab a bite to eat at The Borough. 
See a sneak preview on TikTok here. 

Follow our simple instructions to take in the beauty of this city and immerse yourself in its history. 

1.    This walk starts at Lancaster Castle. With the John O’Gaunt Gate entrance in front of you turn left to walk around the outside of the castle. Follow the outer wall path to the stairs near Lancaster Priory, or alternatively there is a flat route through Castle Gardens. When you get to the rear of the castle you will see a path up to the Priory, follow this path.

2.    As you follow the path through the Priory churchyard, take in the stunning views across to Morecambe Bay, and spot the Lake District fells in the distance. A short series of steps takes you down to a path that follows Quay Meadow, follow this down the hill. 

A little way down this path you will see the signpost for a Roman Bath House which is a fascinating short detour should you wish to take it. 

3.    Continue on and you will come across another set of steps leading you to another path which follows the old Green Ayre and Lancaster Castle station line. Take this path to the right, over the old railway bridge.

While on the bridge, which takes you over St George’s Quay, you can look down to the right to see the Captured Africans artwork, which is a beautiful poignant piece. To the left you can see Millennium bridge which crosses the River Lune at one of its narrowest points.

Continue down the path until you come to a fork to the rear of Sainsbury’s supermarket. Take the right fork onto Water Street.

4.    Continue down Water Street to the crossing opposite The Bobbin pub, a grade II listed building which dates back to the 18th century. Cross over, and walk to the right of the Bobbin, down Chapel Street. On Chapel Street you can see the beautiful Georgian church of St John the Evangelist. 

Follow the road up Rosemary Lane until you reach Moor Lane opposite St Nics Arcade. 

5.    Turn left onto Moor Lane, a cobbled street with views up to Ashton Memorial. Then take the first right onto Friar Street until you get to the corner of Dalton Square. This is the perfect spot to stop for a drink or bite to eat in The Borough, or sit and relax on a sunny day. 

Dalton Square is home to a Portland stone and bronze memorial of Queen Victoria, which overlooks the Town Hall. Queen Victoria is accompanied by four lions who stand alongside her on a plinth depicting other prominent figures from the Victorian era. 

6.    Leave Dalton Square from the entrance nearest the Town Hall, cross over the road and turn left to head up Nelson Street. 

7.    Turn right onto Robert Street, next to Lancaster Baptist Church. Here you can take in the impressive Grade II listed Town Hall building in all its glory, including the exterior of the building known as Ashton Hall, and the old fire station at the rear of the site. 

Once you have passed the side of the old fire station, turn left onto Quarry Road. Walk up Quarry Road until you are over the canal bridge, then cross over and head down to the waterside, staying on the White Cross pub side of the canal. 

8.    From here continue down the towpath. This will take you under the main bridge into the city from the south side and the Water Witch footbridge. Pass the Water Witch pub and continue to the next canal bridge, where you will cross the canal and exit onto Aldcliffe Road.

9.    Cross over Aldcliffe Road, and turn left down Carr House Lane. Take the second right onto Regent Street and continue up the road until you reach Dallas Road Gardens. These gardens offer a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city centre, overlooked by Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, a Grade II listed building dating back to 1912. 

10.    Walking through Dallas Road Gardens, take the exit on the north west corner onto High Street. Follow High Street past Dallas Road Primary School and Lancaster Girls Grammar School. Continue up the road until you come to Middle Street on the right hand side. 

11.    Turn down Middle Street and continue until you get to King Street. Use the pedestrian crossing to make your way to Sir Simon’s Arcade, a pedestrian walkway featuring a number of fantastic local retailers. 

Make tour way through the arcade and exit onto Market Street. From here you can take a break from your walk and visit Lancaster City Museum. The museum not only showcases the archaeology, social and industrial history of Lancaster, but is also home to the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum, which offers insights into the military heritage of the city. 

12.    Next take the Music Room Passage next to Barclays on Market Street. Once through the alley way, you will enter Sun Square, which was once home to dramatic gardens of a Georgian lawyer. The Music Room, now an Atkinsons Coffee Shop, was once a folly in the gardens. 

13.    Continue down Sun Street until you can turn left onto Church Street. 

On Church Street you will find a Blue Plaque on number 76 declaring that Bonnie Prince Charlie, Grandson of James II, once stayed in the building during a visit to the city in 1745. This visit saw Bonnie Prince Charlie proclaimed regent by the Jacobite Army. 

Head down Church Street crossing over China Street at the traffic lights. Follow the path to the right, to continue along Church Street onto the square in front of the Judges’ Lodgings. Here you will find the Covell Cross, a statue erected in 1903 to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII.

You can also visit the Grade I listed Judges’ Lodgings and discover the museum of childhood, and a collection of Georgian furniture by Gillows of Lancaster. 

14.    Finally, continue up Castle Hill to return to Lancaster Castle and complete your circular walk.

Why not stop by the Kitchen Courtyard and Café for a cuppa in the Castle itself, or stop by the Lancashire Police Museum if your walk takes place on Thursday or Friday.