About Judges' Lodgings Museum

Bringing the stories of Lancaster to life for everyone, through the city's oldest town house. Nestled below Lancaster Castle, the Judges' Lodgings dates back nearly 400 years on a site that has been at the centre of Lancaster's history for nearly 2000 years. The current house was built around 1625 by Thomas Covell, Keeper of the Castle and famous for locking up the Pendle Witches during the infamous Lancashire Witch Trials. From 1826 the house became a lodgings for the travelling 'Red Judges' of the Assizes Courts. Dressed in their scarlet robes, the Judges decided the fate of murderers, forgers and highwaymen at Lancaster Castle. Today the house is home to beautiful Georgian furniture by Gillows of Lancaster, elegant period rooms and the popular Museum of Childhood.

Opening hours

  1. Today

    Closed

  2. Friday

    11:00am - 4:00pm

  3. Saturday

    11:00am - 4:00pm

  4. Sunday

    11:00am - 4:00pm

  5. Monday

    Closed

  6. Tuesday

    Closed

  7. Wednesday

    Closed

Related

Groups | History & Heritage

Lancaster Castle

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Events

House History Workshop - Judges Lodgings Museum

Date: 16th Oct 2026

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Events

Lost Buildings of the Moor Hospital - a Photographic Record - Judges Lodgings Museum

Date: 27th Nov 2026

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Events

The Lune Valley and the West Indies: Sugar, Cotton and the Slavery Economy Lecture - Judges Lodgings Museum

Date: 23rd Oct 2026

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Family Friendly

Candy Cottages - Judges Lodgings Museum

Date: 30th Oct 2026

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Arts & Culture | History & Heritage

The Lune Valley and the West Indies: Sugar, Cotton and the Slavery Economy Lecture

Date: 23rd Oct 2026

Read More
Events

House History Workshop - Judges Lodgings Museum

Date: 17th Oct 2026

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Family Friendly

Georgian's Marvellous Medicines - Judges Lodgings Museum

Date: 29th Oct 2026

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Events

Sewing Café Workshops - Rag-Writing - Judges Lodgings Museum

Date: 15th Oct 2026

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Facilities

Coaches Welcome
Groups accepted
Guided Tours Available for Groups
Guide Dogs Permitted

What's Nearby

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