.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Lancaster Castle
Type:Castle / Fort
Castle Park, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1YJ
-
Language
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Lancaster Castle is owned by Her Majesty the Queen, who is the Duke of Lancaster. As well as being a fortification, the Castle was also Europe’s longest-serving operational prison until its closure in March 2011. In addition, its courtrooms have witnessed many famous and infamous trials over the centuries, including those of the Lancashire Witches who were convicted and sentenced to death in 1612.
The castle was also the site of the trials of the Lancashire Martyrs between 1584 and 1646, and George Fox, the founder of the Quaker movement, was imprisoned there for two years.
The Grand Jury Room houses some superb Gillow furniture, and in the Shire Hall there is a magnificent display of heraldic shields.
The Crown Court dock still has the branding iron which was used on 'malefactors' until 1811. From 1596, many prisoners convicted at the Castle were sentenced to transportation, initially to the West Indies and American colonies, and later to Australia. Visitors can also experience briefly what it’s like to be locked in one of our 18th century cells. Since May 2013 the guided tour has also included the chapel yard and the main courtyard of the former prison
The former A-Wing has been opened up at Lancaster Castle as part of its guided tours, with a new ‘Prison Life’ exhibition in the ground-floor cells.
The new exhibition allows visitors to view the cells at their own pace, as part of the existing tour.
There is also a varied programme of events throughout the year, including theatre, music, dark history tours, children`s activity tours, Halloween tours, murder mysteries, and much more. See the website for more information.
Open daily for guided tours from 10am until 4pm (1st Nov to 1st Apr - Court sittings permitting). Guided tours leave from the the courtyard which is accessed through the main gates. Closed Christmas/New Year. Visitors to Lancaster Castle are advised to check opening times by telephoning 01524 64998.
The guided tours cost £8 adults, £6.50 concessions, £20 family ticket (the Xplorer ticket - valid for 12 months is excellent value and includes entry to 5 museums in Lancashire.)
Please note that dogs are not permitted in Lancaster Castle, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Discover more of the story with the Lancaster Castle app. The app uses cutting-edge technology to give historical moments a fresh perspective and make history’s fascinating characters come to life.
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Concession | £6.50 per ticket |
| Adults | £8.00 per ticket |
| Child (age 5-18) & students | £6.50 per ticket |
| Family 2+2 | £20.00 per ticket |
| Xplorer Family & Friends Multipass Ticket - 5 venues, valid for 12 months | £20.00 per ticket |
For further information on our Xplorer Tickets and the fantastic savings on offer, please visit lancashire.gov.uk/museums
| Open all year except at Christmas and New Year (3 Jan 2019 - 23 Dec 2019) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 17:00* |
* Monday - Friday - 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 15:45
Saturday & Sunday - 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, 15.00, 15.30 and 16.00
Closed Christmas/New Year.
Visitors to Lancaster Castle are advised to check opening times by telephoning 01524 64998
Heritage Open Days at Lancaster CastleLancaster Castle is one of the most iconic buildings in the north-west. Originally constructed in about 1093 by Roger de Poitou, it is today owned by HM The Queen in Right of Her Duchy of Lancaster. Serving as both a court & prison, it has witnessed some of the most famous and infamous trials in…
Partner of Visit Lancashire 2018Morecambe, 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. Once in the city centre follow signs for Lancaster Castle and Priory Church.
The nearest train station is Lancaster which is only a 5 minute walk from Lancaster Visitor Information Centre, just outside the city centre. The station is on the West Coast Mainline with regular mainline Virgin services to London & South and Glasgow & 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 5 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.
Experience Lancaster Castles chilling cells and hollow corridors with this immersive app…
A self guided driving tour between Lancaster and Pendle, visiting places of significance…
The Cottage Museum offers an intimate glimpse of early Victorian life in this tiny and…
The Storey Institute has been remodelled as a newly designed centre for the creative…
Theatre Tickets, gifts, books, artwork, souvenirs, Bus and coach reservations are all…
Built in the centre of Lancaster against the backdrop of Lancaster Castle and Lancaster…
The Gallery at the Storey hosts an exciting exhibitions programme featuring a range of…
A literature development agency that organise Lancashire's annual literature festival.…
The 15th Century Priory and Parish Church of Lancaster standing by the Castle on the…
The Wery Wall is an interesting surviving fragment of Roman walling on the east slope of…
A wonderful, traditional street market in the centre of town, held every Wednesday and…
The popular steam hauled ‘Fellsman’ returns to the spectacular Settle to Carlisle railway…
Discover more about Lancaster's past from the Romans to the present day and trace the…
The Lancaster District is rightly proud of its extensive cycling network - the largest in…
Lancaster Maritime Museum is housed in the Port of Lancaster Custom House and warehouse…
Lancaster Escape is an entertaining and exciting Escape rooms within the Heart of…
The Cottage Museum, Lancaster, LancasterThe Cottage Museum offers an intimate glimpse of early Victorian life in this tiny and intriguing 18th-Century cottage spread over 5 floors. Enter inside and discover the many gadgets and utensils used in the 19th Century. The Cottage Museum is just a short walk from Lancaster Castle and the…
Lancaster Maritime Museum, LancasterLancaster Maritime Museum is housed in the Port of Lancaster Custom House and warehouse buildings dating from the second half of the 18th century. Come and discover the history of the merchants and learn about Lancaster’s exciting trade industry.
Judges' Lodgings Museum, LancasterBuilt in the centre of Lancaster against the backdrop of Lancaster Castle and Lancaster Priory this elegant, Grade I listed building is Lancaster's oldest town house.
Pendle Witch Trail, Lancaster to Pendle, LancasterA self guided driving tour between Lancaster and Pendle, visiting places of significance in the 1612 Pendle Witch Trials.
Lancashire Museums, LancashireImagine a place where you can explore, touch, learn, discover and most of all have fun. At Lancashire Museums they have lots of stuff going on to tempt you and your families.
England's Historic Cities - Lancaster Castle app, LancasterExperience Lancaster Castles chilling cells and hollow corridors with this immersive app exploring augmented reality unveiling hidden facts and stories that helped shape England's intricate heritage.
© Visit Lancashire 2019. The Official Website of Marketing Lancashire. All Rights Reserved
