Lancaster Castle

Shire Hall
Castle Parade
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1YJ

Tel: +44 (0)1524 649 98
Fax: +44 (0)1524 847 914
Web: Attraction's Own Web Site

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Lancaster Castle has dominated the town for almost 1000 years, but installations on the hill on which it stands goes back a thousand years further, almost to the birth of Christ. The Romans built the first of at least three military forts on the site in AD79. Little is known about Lancaster until 1093 when the Norman Baron, Roger of Poitou, built a small motte and bailey castle which was replaced 50 years later by a large stone Keep which still stands today as the oldest part of the Castle. Unfortunately, the Keep is part of the Castle which cannot be visited as it forms part of HM Prison Lancaster Castle.

Lancaster Castle is still used today as a Crown Court. It deals with trials of the more serious criminal offences, the sentencing of offenders committed for sentence by magistrates' courts, and appeals from lower courts. The court in Lancaster was once the only Assize for the county of Lancashire. It was known as The Hanging Court due to the large number of death sentences handed down. Many hundreds of others who passed through its doors were sentenced to Transportation.

Lancaster Castle contained two treadwheels - one to drive 23 calico looms and one to draw water from the well. The first one was installed in 1822 and Lancaster's use of the treadwheels was quite unique as most prisons did not harness the energy in any useful way.

Until the Bankruptcy Act of 1866, Lancaster Castle housed between 300 and 400 debtors at any one time. Insolvent debtors were required to work within the prison and in return received, 3ozs bread and 4ozs oatmeal daily, 1oz salt and 10lb potatoes weekly.

There are many things to see including the beautiful Gillow furniture in the Grand Jury Room, the dungeons and drop room, hanging corner and the magnificent Shire Hall with its display of heraldic shields. The castle is also famous for being the site of the trial of Pendle Witches in 1612.

General Information:

  • Evening and Theatrical Events
  • Guided tours by qualified historians and professional guides
  • Shop
  • Parking nearby
  • Access with wheelchairs and push chairs is limited
    •
    Opening Times
    (2011 times)
    Daily (except Christmas and New Year): 10.00am - 5.00pm.

    Admission by guided tour only: From 10.30am - 4.00pm.
    Tour duration 45-60 minutes.
    Please telephone for opening times.

    Admission Charges
    (2011 prices)
    Adult £5.00; Concessions £4.00
    Family (2 adults + 2 children) or (1 adult and 3 children) £14.00.

    Directions
    Lancaster is easily accessible by road and rail; the Castle is 5 mins. walk from the railway station.
    Show map of Lancaster Castle...

    Lancaster Castle Postcode for SatNav: LA1 1YJ

    Nearby Attractions
    Cottage Museum (< 1 Mile)*
    The Cottage Museum Lancaster is part of a small vernacular house of 1739.
    Lancaster City Museum (< 1 Mile)*
    The Museum was founded in 1923 and its displays illustrate the history and archaeology of the county town of Lancaster and the most northerly and rural part of Lancashire.
    Lancaster Maritime Museum (< 1 Mile)*
    Explore Lancaster's 'Golden Age' and rich maritime past inside two splendid Georgian quayside buildings.
    more attractions in Lancaster and things to do in Lancaster ...
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Hotels
    Best Western Royal Kings Arms Hotel (< 1 Mile)*
    Situated in the heart of Lancaster, in the shadows of Lancaster Castle, the Royal Kings Arms offers 55 quality bedrooms, a superb restaurant complete with Minstrel's Gallery and an elegantly furnished lounge bar where guests can relax.
    The Sun Hotel & Bar (< 1 Mile)*
    This 17th century, luxury, boutique hotel is the only 4-star hotel in the centre of Lancaster, and is superbly situated in the heart of the city centre.
    Holiday Inn Lancaster (1 Mile)*
    Sitting just off Junction 34 of the M6, the Holiday Inn Lancaster is just minutes from the city centre and easily accessible with onsite parking and a bus stop outside
    more hotels near Lancaster Castle ...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Self Catering
    Knotts Farm Holiday Cottages (2 Miles)*
    Knotts Farm Holiday Cottages consist of three newly converted self catering cottages on a working farm in the parish of Quernmore having a rustic country feel cottages with modern facilities. An ideal retreat and location for couples or fam
    Eden Vale (3 Miles)*
    Eden Vale is a family run, ex-gentlemen's residence of historic interest. The building is amongst some of the oldest on Morecambe's Promenade, situated on the most prestigious elevated terrace, overlooking Morecambe Bay.
    Braides Lodge (7 Miles)*
    Braides Lodge is situated in Cockerham near the historic City of Lancaster and Morecambe Bay. Sleeping up to 4 people this beautiful self catering Log Chalet has been furnished to the highest standard.
    Your property could be here
    Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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