Lancaster Attractions

Opened in 1797 the Lancaster Canal, along which goods barges traveled from Preston via Lancaster to Kendal from 1819, is still navigable south towards Preston and north to the eight locks of Tewitfield.

The Georgian Old Town Hall on the Market Square, built 1781-1783 and restored in 1873, is now a municipal museum. The historical department with prehistoric and Roman exhibits and an interesting exhibition on the development of local industry together with the department on the King's Own Regiment, stationed in Lancaster since 1880, deserve a special mention.

Cockersand Abbey is a Premonstratensian house founded in 1190 with an octagonal chapterhouse. Nearby, on the river, is a bird reserve for wild geese and other water birds.

The Cottage Museum, a tradesman's house built in 1736 and divided into two in 1820, is furnished in the original style.

The Friends' Meeting House of 1690 is where the Quakers used to meet, who belonged to the religious community founded by George Fox (1624-1691).

This annual festival takes place in mid-July.

Medals, uniforms and souvenirs trace the history of this regiment in the Lancaster City Museum. A library and photo gallery are to be found as part of the displays.

The Lancashire County and Regimental Museum traces the history of the county's numerous and prestigious infantry and cavalry regiments. It contains an excellent collection of uniforms, weapons, medals and battle trophies.

Takes place in mid-April.

This three-day festival takes place in mid-March.

St Mary's church, opposite the castle, is mostly Perpendicular in style from the 14th and 15th centuries. The west doorway is Saxon, the massive tower was added in 1754. The oak-carved choir stalls dating from 1340 and the artistically decorated chancel in Late-Renaissance style are worth seeing.

The present-day Lancaster town hall on Dalton Square was commissioned by Lord Ashton in 1909. Other notable buildings are St John's Church (1734) on the North Road, the Judges' Lodgings Museum (1620) in Church Street with a childhood museum and the Custom House on St George Square which has housed a maritime museum since 1985. Skerton Bridge over the Lune constructed by Thomas Harrison 1783-88, was the first road bridge in England to be built without piers. There are good views from the gallery of the Ashton Memorial (1909), which stands on a hill in Williamson Park. Opposite in the Palm House there are exotic plants and butterflies.

Warton Old Rectory was built in the 14th C and is the former home to the de Thweng family, this is a rare medieval stone house with remains of the hall, chambers and domestic offices.