Lancashire has such a broad range of things to do and places to discover, and Lancaster House Hotel makes the perfect base to start your discovery.
Here are some of our favourite places to visit and things to do while you’re with us.
Lancaster Castle
Sitting on top of of Castle Hill, Lancaster Castle has guarded Lancaster for over 1,000 years and has been used for nearly all that time, most recently as a prison, which closed in 2011. Today though, visitors can enjoy fantastic guided tours around the beautiful castle. Tours cover all aspects of the castles history including tales of witchcraft, crime and punishment, rehabilitation and much more. You can even try out one of the Georgian prison cells out for size.
The castle is open to adults, children and families and is a great start on learning more about the history of Lancaster.
Williamson Park & Ashton Memorial
The Ashton Memorial is one of the defining features of Lancaster. It’s visible from practically everywhere and even from all the way across Morecambe Bay. Williamson Park is the beautiful grounds where the Ashton Memorial sits, 54 acres of park and woodland to explore with stunning views across Lancaster, Morecambe and onto the Lake District.
The Ashton Memorial is a grade 1 listed building and was a folly commissioned by Lancaster industrialist Lord Ashton , completed in 1909. Inside the memorial is often used to weddings, art exhibitions and other events but is open all through the week for visitors to enter and learn about its history.
Williamson Park is also home to the Butterfly House, a classic Edwardian palm house home to hundreds of butterflies and birds as well as other animals like meercats.
Black Knights Parachute Centre
Take the plunge! Just fifteen minutes from Lancaster, The Black Knights Parachute Centre offer a range of skydiving courses. It is the longest running centre in the country, being in operation for over 50 years. They offer Accelerated Freefall and Static Line courses throughout the year and can offer Tandem skydiver to 15,000 ft – the highest in the UK.
Cost: £230, or if you do it for charity, getting family and friends involved, you will need to raise a minimum of £350, (but contact the charity to get their guidelines before booking).
RSPB Leighton Moss
Turn Twitcher for the day and discover a host of beautiful birds and butterflies. Leighton Moss is the largest reedbed in north-west England, and has a selection of trails and hides, most of which are suitable for wheelchairs. There’s also a nature trail along two coastal lagoons where you will see lots of wading and water birds.
There are free wildlife explorer backpacks available for children and they will enjoy the interactive display panels in the visitor centre.
Throughout the year there is a full programme of events including, from 6 – 31 July ‘Wonderful Wetland Wildlife’ family trail, and 9th – 12th August ‘Meet the Moths at the Moss’. Other things to look out for in summer include
- Red deer grazing around the pools – best seen in the evening
- Butterflies and dragonflies drifting by, searching for food
- The incredible sight of marsh harriers passing food to each other mid air
Reserve open all year round, dawn to dusk (except Christmas Day) Visitor Centre open 9.30 am to 5 pm
Cost: Adults £7, Children £3.50 (first child and under 5s free); Concessions £4.50. RSPB members and those who have travelled to the reserve by public transport or bike, get in free!
Crook o’ Lune
The Crook O’ Lune is a great spot for a picnic and a gentle walk down the River Lune with some beautiful surroundings. The name comes from the 90 degree angle the Lune takes forming a natural ‘crook’ and visitors can enjoy stunning views all the way onto Inglebrough in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Crook O’ Lune is only a short drive outside Lancaster, easily accessible from the motorway and from Lancaster House Hotel.
A Great Place to Visit
These are just a few of our favourite spots to visit while you’re discovering Lancashire but there are many more things to do and see while you’re here. Ask at reception for any directions or guides to find places and our team will be happy to help.
