Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle: Hours, Address, Lancaster Castle Reviews: 4.5/5
Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Owned by the serving monarch, HM Queen Elizabeth II, through the Duchy of Lancaster, Lancaster Castle is a wealth of English history. Since being established by the Romans the castle has been a home to monarchs, a place of trial and execution, and a working prison right up until 2012. Still a crown court, the majority of the castle is now open to the public for the first time in over 1,000 years. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and ongoing restoration work in the Shire Hall guided tours have been suspended until January 2021. The courtyards are open and free to visit but there is no access to any of the buildings at the moment. The cafe is open between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm daily.
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Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
239 within 5 kms

The Mad Hunter Lancaster
153
0.1 km££ - £££ • African • International • Vegetarian Friendly

The Quarterhouse
142
0.5 km££ - £££ • European • British • Contemporary

The Three Mariners
571
0.3 km££ - £££ • Bar • British • Pub

Supper by Sanah Private Dining
181
0.2 km££ - £££ • Indian • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly

Quite Simply French
1,862
0.5 km££ - £££ • French • British • Vegetarian Friendly

Merchants 1688
949
79 m££ - £££ • Bar • British • Pub

The Whale Tail
374
0.4 km££ - £££ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British

The Sun Cafe Restaurant
272
0.1 km££ - £££ • Mediterranean • European • Contemporary

Full House Noodle Bar
217
0.3 km£ • Chinese • Asian • Szechuan

Sultan of Lancaster
707
0.5 km££ - £££ • Indian • Asian • Balti
Attractions
35 within 5 kms

Cottage Museum
71
58 mHistory Museums

Lancaster Priory Church
188
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals

Judges' Lodgings
118
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums

Lancaster City Museum
360
0.2 kmSpeciality Museums • History Museums

Lancaster Visitor Information Centre
38
65 mVisitor Centres

The Storey
27
69 mArt Galleries

Roman Bath House and Wery Wall Remains
31
0.2 kmHistoric Sites • Ancient Ruins

Lancaster Maritime Museum
204
0.5 kmMilitary Museums

The Grand Theatre
130
0.5 kmTheatres

The Elles Gallery
10
0.4 kmArt Galleries
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
2,265 reviews
Excellent
1,446
Very good
568
Average
158
Poor
56
Terrible
37
Cheekycockney190757
Basildon, UK4,545 contributions
Nice plave to visit whilst in the city
Oct 2020
Visited on Monday 26th October 2020. After we walk around the city centre we walked up to the castle which was a working prison until 2011. The castle was open at the time and free to enter but the guided tours were not available and the battlements couldn't be accessed. We could access the courtyard, cafe and toilets and though limited these were beautifully presented.
Written 9 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jimi2901
Wigan13 contributions
History lesson
Dec 2020 • Friends
Great information shared by our tour guide Cameron despite difficult conditions (cold,wind,rain,masks).
Written 19 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucia S
5 contributions
GREAT!
Dec 2020 • Couples
Even during Covid 19 times the staff working in Lancaster castle was very helful and welcoming. Cameron gave us a lovely and interesting tour around the outside of the castel for free (since the inside visits are unavailable at the moment), was veery friendly and did not mind us asking tons of question. Definitely recommend visiting this lovely place no matter how much time you have in Lancaster - the whole guided tour around the outside portion of the castle will take you maximum 20 mintes. Definitely worth it!
Written 13 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jon
Lancaster3 contributions
Lovely atmosphere
Oct 2020
Looking forward to regular stops here post-lockdown... a beautifully preserved castle makes for a lovely atmosphere to enjoy a delightful tea or coffee at the wonderful Atkinsons within the grounds.
Written 8 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gee
Salford, UK4 contributions
Great history
Oct 2020 • Couples
Closed due to Covid but you can still walk inside the grounds and pick up a leaflet giving some history
Written 13 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hazel
Oldham, UK54 contributions
Fantastic Building
Sep 2020
Had a day out in Lancaster and visited the castle, I was surprised you could actually walk around the forecourt (due to CV-19). The building is awesome and steeped in history. I would have loved to do the tour but unfortunately that is not operating at the moment. But worth a visit just for a brew in the cafe.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ashley H
14 contributions
Covid restrictions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Went to have a look round with my wife but due to covid they only let her I to the courtyard. I was left holding the dog as there not dog friendly
Written 17 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patricia S
57 contributions
Great historical location
Aug 2020 • Friends
The castle and prison are currently being renovated but it was great learning about the history of it from one of the staff. She was very knowledgeable.
Lovely historical location.
Visit to the priory is essential.
Cafeteria brilliant...service was excellent!
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jessica H
London, UK44 contributions
Beautiful and atmospheric
Aug 2020 • Family
Glorious building and wonderful architecture. Very much looking forward to returning in January when the tours restart, as only the exterior/courtyard is available now. Would like some more detail about the history of the Castle etc. - there is one informative board just to the left of the entrance, but couldn’t see anything else.
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
glamourpuss1000
Liverpool, England2,996 contributions
Fascinating piece of history and so much more
Aug 2020
This is a very interesting place to visit, obviously of great historical interest but also a really pleasant place thanks to the flowers, landscaping and lovely cafe.
The Chapel courtyard has beautiful flowers and is very peaceful then you read that's where most of the executions took place!
The buildings have signs indicating their former usage, this place really captures your imagination.
There is limited access owing to Covid but I will definitely return for the guided tours when they start again in January 2021.
Written 24 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leanne L
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia104 contributions
Is this suitable for someone in a wheelchair ?
irene c
Caton, UK21 contributions
Outside is fine. A very high hill with cobbles to get in but once inside courtyard you will be fine. Inside the castle you would not be able to manage. Very uneven floors and steps.
Callum H
3 contributions
Are you able to stroll around the castle grounds without paying admission fees?
RichardVUK
UK762 contributions
Really no outside space of worth. the castle is in the middle of the city. the reason for going there is the interior and it is by guided tour only for which you have to pay. It is worth it though, but make sure you don't go when the court is in session or you miss the best bits.
darrelljamesm2014
1 contribution
Times of tours?
Sdc270719
Blackpool, UK60 contributions
We went on Sunday and they appeared to be half hourly throughout the day from 10am.
Amy J
0 contributions
Can I just turn up and pay on the gate or do I have to book in advance for the tour?
DataDave76
Manchester33 contributions
You can just turn up and pay on the door
tracymitchell74
Bacup, UK0 contributions
How much is this for a tour
BlueGoose900
Ipswich, UK45 contributions
think it was about £8 per head. but they have offers on. our party of 4 got n for£20 - either way it is a great tour!
InnesBedlington
Cambridge, UK22 contributions
Are there many steps on the tour as I would like to bring along my elderly mother?
susieduu
Morecambe, UK7 contributions
There are steps, quite a few and some of them are quite worn in places so you need to take care. The approach to the castle is quite steep as well
lancslass86
Huddersfield, UK427 contributions
Is this a good place to visit if it's raining
Paul C
Liverpool, UK171 contributions
Most of it is indoors so yeah I guess so
Glenwalker12
Middlewich, UK7 contributions
In addition to the castle tour, does the tour take you through and around the various prison wings no longer used within the castle?
Carl Andrew B
Wickersley, UK41 contributions
Yes you get to visit one of the wings, but only if its not being used on the day (not by prisoners obviously)!! they do filming there, weddings that sort of thing. They actually get a lot of ex inmates doing the tour - Nostalgic
Frequently Asked Questions about Lancaster Castle
- Lancaster Castle is open:
- Sun - Sat 09:30 - 17:00
- Hotels near Lancaster Castle:
- (0.06 km) Nip Hill by the Castle - enjoy city, countryside & sea (& handy for the Lakes!)
- (0.18 km) The Sun Hotel & Bar
- (0.13 km) Crows Hotel Lancaster
- (0.12 km) Royal Kings Arms
- (0.14 km) Sun St Studios
- Restaurants near Lancaster Castle:
- (0.03 km) Castle Coffee Lancaster
- (0.05 km) Castle Stone Grill
- (0.11 km) The Mad Hunter Lancaster
- (0.08 km) Merchants 1688
- (0.14 km) The Sun Cafe Restaurant