Tracey’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This spectacular neo-Baroque folly in Williamson Park can be seen for miles and deserves an extra entry.
In the 1900s Lord Ashton had this 50-metre high monument constructed in memory of his second wife, Jessy.
The Ashton Memorial was designed by John Belcher, who contributed an array of Historicist buildings to London’s cityscape in his career.
Made from white Portland limestone, the folly is topped with a copper-clad dome resembling the works of Sir Christopher Wren.
Leading up to this structure is a balustraded double stairway made from hard-wearing granite.
The Ashton Memorial hosts temporary exhibitions on its upper floor, and is hired out for concerts and weddings.
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Williamson Park
Quernmore RoadThis spectacular neo-Baroque folly in Williamson Park can be seen for miles and deserves an extra entry.
In the 1900s Lord Ashton had this 50-metre high monument constructed in memory of his second wife, Jessy.
The Ashton Memorial was designed by John Belcher, who contributed an array of Historicist buildings to London’s cityscape in his career.
Made from white Portland limestone, the folly is topped with a copper-clad dome resembling the works of Sir Christopher Wren.
Leading up to this structure is a balustraded double stairway made from hard-wearing granite.
The Ashton Memorial hosts temporary exhibitions on its upper floor, and is hired out for concerts and weddings.
This rise overlooking Lancaster and the River Lune has been fortified since the Romans, and today’s castle sprang from the Norman Conquest.
A lot of the surviving architecture, including the formidable gatehouse, is from a 15th-century reinforcement.
The reason so much of Lancaster Castle has made it to the 21st century is that this was Europe’s longest functioning prison until it closed in 2011. The courtrooms, still in use, have been the scene of some infamous trials.
The Pendle Witches, nine women and two men, were tried here in 1612, and all but one were sentenced to death by hanging.
This is just one of many stories waiting to be uncovered, while you can view a display of heraldry in the Shire Hall, learn about deportations to Australia in the 19th century and step inside an 18th-century prison cell.
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Lancaster Cathedral
Balmoral RoadThis rise overlooking Lancaster and the River Lune has been fortified since the Romans, and today’s castle sprang from the Norman Conquest.
A lot of the surviving architecture, including the formidable gatehouse, is from a 15th-century reinforcement.
The reason so much of Lancaster Castle has made it to the 21st century is that this was Europe’s longest functioning prison until it closed in 2011. The courtrooms, still in use, have been the scene of some infamous trials.
The Pendle Witches, nine women and two men, were tried here in 1612, and all but one were sentenced to death by hanging.
This is just one of many stories waiting to be uncovered, while you can view a display of heraldry in the Shire Hall, learn about deportations to Australia in the 19th century and step inside an 18th-century prison cell.
The City Museum has been housed in the former Town Hall on Market Square since 1923. This regal sandstone ashlar building, fronted by a pediment and Tuscan portico, went up in the early 1780s.
The museum will give you a crash course in Lancaster’s history, with the help of some sensational artefacts.
One is the Lancaster Roman Tombstone, carved around 100 AD and unearthed during a routine excavation in 2005. This shows a Roman soldier on horseback over a decapitated enemy.
The building also houses the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum, tracing the regiment back to its foundation in 1680 and documenting the battles in fought in, with regalia, photos and weapons.
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Lancaster City Museum
Market StreetThe City Museum has been housed in the former Town Hall on Market Square since 1923. This regal sandstone ashlar building, fronted by a pediment and Tuscan portico, went up in the early 1780s.
The museum will give you a crash course in Lancaster’s history, with the help of some sensational artefacts.
One is the Lancaster Roman Tombstone, carved around 100 AD and unearthed during a routine excavation in 2005. This shows a Roman soldier on horseback over a decapitated enemy.
The building also houses the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum, tracing the regiment back to its foundation in 1680 and documenting the battles in fought in, with regalia, photos and weapons.
While the Lake District is world-famous for its natural beauty, there’s another less heralded scenic region on Lancaster’s east shoulder.
The Forest of Bowland, despite the name, is mostly treeless peat moorland, with dominant gritstone fells reaching heights of more than 500 metres.
The Forest of Bowland is at its most romantic in the Trough of Bowland, which lies within Lancaster’s city limits.
This is a valley and high pass, laced with fast-flowing streams, all adored by walkers and cyclists, but also with winding drives if you prefer the comfort of your car.
The Trough is very sparsely populated, and settlements are limited to isolated villages where you can stop for tea or pub lunches.
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Forest of Bowland AONB
While the Lake District is world-famous for its natural beauty, there’s another less heralded scenic region on Lancaster’s east shoulder.
The Forest of Bowland, despite the name, is mostly treeless peat moorland, with dominant gritstone fells reaching heights of more than 500 metres.
The Forest of Bowland is at its most romantic in the Trough of Bowland, which lies within Lancaster’s city limits.
This is a valley and high pass, laced with fast-flowing streams, all adored by walkers and cyclists, but also with winding drives if you prefer the comfort of your car.
The Trough is very sparsely populated, and settlements are limited to isolated villages where you can stop for tea or pub lunches.
Lancaster University
Food scene
Quite Simply French – French Cuisine
Open 5pm Closes 9 pm
27A St Georges Quay, Lancaster LA1 1RD
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Quite Simply French
27A St George's QuayQuite Simply French – French Cuisine
Open 5pm Closes 9 pm
27A St Georges Quay, Lancaster LA1 1RD
Blue Moon Restaurant – Fine Thai Cuisine
Opens 5pm Closes 10pm
6 Rosemary Lane, Lancaster LA1 1NR
Blue Moon Thai Restaurant
6 Rosemary LnBlue Moon Restaurant – Fine Thai Cuisine
Opens 5pm Closes 10pm
6 Rosemary Lane, Lancaster LA1 1NR
The Trungs - Chinese and Vietnamese
Open 5pm Closes 10:30 pm
2-4 Main Road Bolton Le Sands, Carnforth LA5 8DH
10 personas locales recomiendan
Trung's Restaurant
4 Main RdThe Trungs - Chinese and Vietnamese
Open 5pm Closes 10:30 pm
2-4 Main Road Bolton Le Sands, Carnforth LA5 8DH