Lancaster

Introduction

Lancaster is one of the forgotten cities of North West England. A city with a historic past, Lancaster was home of the Red Rose during the War of the Roses involving the houses of Lancaster and York. Lancaster found fortune during the Industrial Revolution, particularly as a centre for textiles, and much of the modern centre of Lancaster was built at this time, though there are still reminders of past eras, including 13th century Lancaster Castle.

Sights and Activities

• Lancaster Castle - the earliest part of which was built in the 13th century. Much of the building is now used as a prison.
• Williamson Park - including the Ashton Memorial building and the Butterfly House.
• The Maritime Museum - at the quayside.
• Lancaster Cathedral - a relatively recently built cathedral with a 240-feet tower.

Nearby attractions include the picturesque Lune Valley, and Morecambe Bay.

Getting There

By Plane

Lancaster doesn't have an airport offering scheduled flights. The closest options are Manchester Airport (MAN), Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) and Leeds Bradford (LBA).

By Train

Lancaster is situated on the main West Coast line running between London and Scotland. Direct trains run to destinations including Manchester, Preston, Glasgow, Carlisle, Penrith and Oxenholme.

By Car

Lancaster is easily accessible via the M6 Motorway.

By Bus

National Express and regional operators run direct services between Lancaster and a range of major cities.

By Boat

Ferries from nearby Heysham Ferry Terminal travel to the Isle of Man.

Eat

Options include the good and cheap Sultan of Lancaster in a building which has served as both a church and a mosque (Muslim so no alcohol served), and the popular Meeting House.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

The Royal Mail provides postal services in the United Kingdom. The Royal Mail's store fronts are called Post Office and offer services ranging from sending letters and packages to foreign currency exchange. Use the branch locator to find the nearest Post Office branch. An alternative includes TNT Post.
It's common for a post office to be incorporated into a grocery store, where there will be a small counter located at the back of the store for dealing with post related matters. All post offices are marked with signs that say 'post office' in red lettering. Post boxes can be found at any post office and standalone large red post boxes on the streets or red boxes in the sides of public buildings.