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Judges' Lodgings Museum

Type:Museum

Church Street, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1YS

Tel: 01524 581 241

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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.

 

Book Tickets

Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult Ticket£5.00 per ticket
Children up to 18 yearsFree
Friends (proof of membership required)Free
Guided tours for groups£8.00 per person per day
Xplorer pass£25.00 per person per day

Accompanied children (under 18 years) free.

Opening Times

Season (3 Apr 2025 - 17 Nov 2025)
DayTimes
Thursday - Sunday11:00 - 16:00

* Outside of these public opening hours, pre-booked schools and group visits are welcome..


Events

Thursday, 25th September 2025 - Sunday, 7th December 2025

The Housekeepers' Lodgings – Digital Installation
more info

Thursday, 9th October 2025 - Sunday, 12th October 2025

Thursday, 16th October 2025 - Sunday, 19th October 2025

Thursday, 23rd October 2025 - Sunday, 26th October 2025

Thursday, 30th October 2025 - Sunday, 2nd November 2025

Halloween Trails and Treats at Judges' Lodgings MuseumYour little horrors can discover a spell-bindingly good trail and finish with a treat.
more info

Thursday, 9th October 2025 - Sunday, 12th October 2025

Thursday, 16th October 2025 - Sunday, 19th October 2025

Thursday, 23rd October 2025 - Sunday, 26th October 2025

Thursday, 30th October 2025 - Sunday, 2nd November 2025

Thursday, 6th November 2025 - Sunday, 9th November 2025

Thursday, 13th November 2025 - Sunday, 16th November 2025

Facing the Past: Black Lancastrians ExhibitionDiscover the lives of Black Lancastrians in the 1700s through a series of portraits by Lela Harris.
more info

Thursday, 9th October 2025 - Sunday, 12th October 2025

Thursday, 16th October 2025 - Sunday, 19th October 2025

Thursday, 23rd October 2025 - Sunday, 26th October 2025

Thursday, 30th October 2025 - Sunday, 2nd November 2025

Thursday, 6th November 2025 - Sunday, 9th November 2025

Thursday, 13th November 2025 - Sunday, 16th November 2025

Style and Sensibility Exhibition at Judges' Lodgings MuseumThis is a show about fashion, costume and style.
more info

Thursday, 9th October 2025 - Sunday, 12th October 2025

Thursday, 16th October 2025 - Sunday, 19th October 2025

Thursday, 23rd October 2025 - Sunday, 26th October 2025

Thursday, 30th October 2025 - Sunday, 2nd November 2025

Thursday, 6th November 2025 - Sunday, 9th November 2025

Thursday, 13th November 2025 - Sunday, 16th November 2025

Saturday, 6th December 2025 - Sunday, 7th December 2025

The Housekeepers' Lodgings Digital InstallationCommitted to serving and service, surrounded by power and privilege, what was it like to be a housekeeper at the Judges Lodgings?
more info

Saturday, 11th October 2025 - Saturday, 11th October 2025

Love Lancaster Live Music Festival at Judges' Lodgings MuseumVisit and enjoy music performances, as part of Love Lancaster Live music festival.
more info

Friday, 24th October 2025 - Friday, 24th October 2025

Battle of Bamber Bridge Lunchtime LectureThis talk will outline the dramatic and tragic events of the night and examine the significance of what is known as the Battle of Bamber Bridge.
more info

Friday, 31st October 2025 - Friday, 31st October 2025

Candy Cottages Workshop at Judges' Lodgings MuseumBring your little horrors for a spookily good time this October half-term to make their own candy witch's cottage for Halloween.
more info

Thursday, 6th November 2025 - Thursday, 6th November 2025

Friday, 7th November 2025 - Friday, 7th November 2025

Saturday, 8th November 2025 - Saturday, 8th November 2025

Light Up Lancaster Festival – Monster!
more info

Friday, 7th November 2025 - Friday, 7th November 2025

Moor and Madness: A Brief History of Lancaster Moor Hospital Lunchtime LectureGet an insight into the intriguing history of the first Lancashire County Asylum, built in Lancaster in 1816.
more info

Friday, 14th November 2025 - Friday, 14th November 2025

The Birmingham Six at Lancaster Castle Lunchtime Lecture
more info

Gradings

  • VAQAS VB Attraction
VAQAS VB Attraction

Awards

  • Sub-Regional AwardsPartner of Visit Lancashire Partner of Visit Lancashire 2018

Directions

Road Directions

Morecambe, Lancaster and the Lune Valley is located in Lancashire, in the northwest of England. Exit the M6 Motorway at Junction 34 and follow signs for Lancaster. Join the one way system (Caton Road) and pass small retail park on left on approach to traffic lights. Turn left following signs for Lancaster city centre.

Public Transport Directions

The nearest railway station is Lancaster which is only a five minute walk from Lancaster Visitor Information Centre, just outside the city centre. The station is on the West Coast Mainline with regular mainline services to London and south and Glasgow and north.  Local services include a regular service to Morecambe.  For more information call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit nationalrail.co.uk.  The nearest bus station is Lancaster which is less than a five minute walk from the central pedestrianised shopping areas of St Nicholas' Arcade and Marketgate. Local, regional and national services are available.  For further information contact traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit traveline.org.uk.

Facilities

Other

  • Concessionary Admission Charges
  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Family Fun
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups
  • Indoor Attraction
  • Seasonal Opening Only
  • Toilets

Establishment Features

  • Disabled Access

Parking & Transport

  • Coaches Welcome

Provider Preferences

  • Groups accepted
  • In town/city centre

TripAdvisor

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The Cottage Museum, Lancaster, LancasterWelcome to 15 Castle Hill, the home of Richard and Ann Thompson.

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