Suzy’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Lancaster Castle's origins date back almost 1,000 years. This Grade 1 Listed Building occupies a city-centre hilltop location on the site of three successive Roman forts and has been described by English Heritage as "not only the North-West's most important historic and archaeological monument but also of international importance".
As recently the turn of the millennia, Lancaster Castle was used as a prison, but recently this historic site has been refurbished by the architects BDP and opened up to the public. There are regular food markets, a fabulous cafe owned and ran by Atkinsons (also in my guidebook), in house stonemasons and regular daily tours.
Dont miss a trip to the Castle - if you are visiting in Spring make sure you visit just to see the displays of crocus.
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Lancaster Cathedral
Balmoral RoadLancaster Castle's origins date back almost 1,000 years. This Grade 1 Listed Building occupies a city-centre hilltop location on the site of three successive Roman forts and has been described by English Heritage as "not only the North-West's most important historic and archaeological monument but also of international importance".
As recently the turn of the millennia, Lancaster Castle was used as a prison, but recently this historic site has been refurbished by the architects BDP and opened up to the public. There are regular food markets, a fabulous cafe owned and ran by Atkinsons (also in my guidebook), in house stonemasons and regular daily tours.
Dont miss a trip to the Castle - if you are visiting in Spring make sure you visit just to see the displays of crocus.
The Reeds is situated in Glasson Dock so we recommend spending sometime in the village. It really is a hidden gem with an incredible history.
Once the largest port in the North west, now a quiet village and marina, Glasson dock still handles over 150000 tonnes of cargo annually. We like watching the ships loading and yachts from the marina heading out to sea.
Our favourite activity in the warmer months is crabbing from the edge of the dock walls. You can buy crabbing tackle from the local store just next to the dock.
The Cafe O'er Lune in the village is very well thought of. It a great place to refuel after a walk along the estuary path, or simply when you dont want to cook your own breakfast.
The local shop is well stocked with everything you might need and helps support the local economy.
You will notice at the end of the dock there is a small white single story building that looks a little like a tiny church. It's actually a Grade II listed Lighthouse built in the 18th Century.
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Glasson Dock
The Reeds is situated in Glasson Dock so we recommend spending sometime in the village. It really is a hidden gem with an incredible history.
Once the largest port in the North west, now a quiet village and marina, Glasson dock still handles over 150000 tonnes of cargo annually. We like watching the ships loading and yachts from the marina heading out to sea.
Our favourite activity in the warmer months is crabbing from the edge of the dock walls. You can buy crabbing tackle from the local store just next to the dock.
The Cafe O'er Lune in the village is very well thought of. It a great place to refuel after a walk along the estuary path, or simply when you dont want to cook your own breakfast.
The local shop is well stocked with everything you might need and helps support the local economy.
You will notice at the end of the dock there is a small white single story building that looks a little like a tiny church. It's actually a Grade II listed Lighthouse built in the 18th Century.
Nature and outdoor adventures
This is a great place to head out with the family, its free to visit (unless you need parking and then its only £2 for the whole day) and has so much to offer. The park itself is quite large, paths lead you through quiet cosy gardens, lakes with fountains, a waterfall, and towards the top of the park a wilderness space popular with children and those who love wildlife. A striking feature on top of the hill in Williamsons Park is the Ashton Memorial, a folly which is open to the public with great views over Morecambe bay from the viewing platform at the top.
The park also includes a cafe with THE MOST AMAZING chocolate eclairs!! and the Butterfly House which we just love. On a wild windy day its a great place to warm up and have a quiet moment with the butterflies, in the summer it just fits the mood of the whole park.
The playparks are recently refurbished and great fun. There are two, one near the top of the hill for smaller children and a slightly more adventurous one below Ashton Memorial.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Williamson Park
Quernmore RoadThis is a great place to head out with the family, its free to visit (unless you need parking and then its only £2 for the whole day) and has so much to offer. The park itself is quite large, paths lead you through quiet cosy gardens, lakes with fountains, a waterfall, and towards the top of the park a wilderness space popular with children and those who love wildlife. A striking feature on top of the hill in Williamsons Park is the Ashton Memorial, a folly which is open to the public with great views over Morecambe bay from the viewing platform at the top.
The park also includes a cafe with THE MOST AMAZING chocolate eclairs!! and the Butterfly House which we just love. On a wild windy day its a great place to warm up and have a quiet moment with the butterflies, in the summer it just fits the mood of the whole park.
The playparks are recently refurbished and great fun. There are two, one near the top of the hill for smaller children and a slightly more adventurous one below Ashton Memorial.
This place offers really reasonable bike hire, £15 for a full day standard bike hire and £25 per day if you would like to try an electric bike.
There is a cycle track between Glasson Dock and Lancaster which is entirely off road, hiring a bike is a great way to get around and the area has the infrastructure to support it. Several cycle route maps are left in the house.
Leisure Lakes Bikes Lancaster
103-105 Penny StThis place offers really reasonable bike hire, £15 for a full day standard bike hire and £25 per day if you would like to try an electric bike.
There is a cycle track between Glasson Dock and Lancaster which is entirely off road, hiring a bike is a great way to get around and the area has the infrastructure to support it. Several cycle route maps are left in the house.
If its warm out, and you have kiddies, head here and check out the splash park. It can get busy so head there early or later in the day if you want a little more room to yourself.
The park itself is also great for families with vintage victorian swings and fabulous flower displays.
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Happy Mount Park
Marine Road EastIf its warm out, and you have kiddies, head here and check out the splash park. It can get busy so head there early or later in the day if you want a little more room to yourself.
The park itself is also great for families with vintage victorian swings and fabulous flower displays.
Food scene
The Mill is approximately a 15 minutes walk along the canal from The Reeds, depending on your pace. It serves great food and is a lovely place to stop for a drink in the sunshine after a little wander. The canal path can be quite muddy in the wetter months so make sure you bring some wellies, the owners wont be upset they are quite used to muddy dog walkers and welcome us with open arms when we roll in needing refreshments.
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The Mill at Conder Green
Thurnham Mill LaneThe Mill is approximately a 15 minutes walk along the canal from The Reeds, depending on your pace. It serves great food and is a lovely place to stop for a drink in the sunshine after a little wander. The canal path can be quite muddy in the wetter months so make sure you bring some wellies, the owners wont be upset they are quite used to muddy dog walkers and welcome us with open arms when we roll in needing refreshments.
If you love your coffee this is the place for you. Atkinsons is a local favourite which roasts and grinds its own coffee. Check out their coffee shops too, they have one next door to the shop called The Hall, one in Lancaster Castle and another in Sun Square called the Music Room. Each has its own character but they all have incredible coffee.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Atkinsons Coffee Roasters
12 China StIf you love your coffee this is the place for you. Atkinsons is a local favourite which roasts and grinds its own coffee. Check out their coffee shops too, they have one next door to the shop called The Hall, one in Lancaster Castle and another in Sun Square called the Music Room. Each has its own character but they all have incredible coffee.
My dear friend Fil set up this bakery around 8 years ago, she LOVES bread and baking all things lovely. The award winning bakery is embedded into the local community and is part of its beating heart. Worth a visit for tasty treats and a high five from Fil.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Filbert's Bakery
20 King StMy dear friend Fil set up this bakery around 8 years ago, she LOVES bread and baking all things lovely. The award winning bakery is embedded into the local community and is part of its beating heart. Worth a visit for tasty treats and a high five from Fil.
If you like your hipster coffee and tea head here. We love it!
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Hall
10 China StIf you like your hipster coffee and tea head here. We love it!
Architecture
The Midland Hotel is an Art Deco gem of national significance. It was refurbished in 2009 by Urban Splash and received a RIBA Crown Estate Conservation Award.
You can read a bit more about the approach to the buildings restoration here https://www.urbansplash.co.uk/blog/reflecting-on-our-restoration-of-an-art-deco-icon
We spent our honeymoon at The Midland Hotel and like to revisit it for afternoon tea and sometimes cocktails at sunset. The sunsets in Morecambe Bay are legendary and there is no better place to experience them.
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The Midland
Marine Road WestThe Midland Hotel is an Art Deco gem of national significance. It was refurbished in 2009 by Urban Splash and received a RIBA Crown Estate Conservation Award.
You can read a bit more about the approach to the buildings restoration here https://www.urbansplash.co.uk/blog/reflecting-on-our-restoration-of-an-art-deco-icon
We spent our honeymoon at The Midland Hotel and like to revisit it for afternoon tea and sometimes cocktails at sunset. The sunsets in Morecambe Bay are legendary and there is no better place to experience them.
This incredible leaning building was designed by a friend of ours. On a clear day you can spot its from the hill above the house in Glasson Dock.
Its a great place to visit if you are interested in architecture and or coastal wildlife, or if you just like to take a stroll along beautiful beaches.
The volunteers here are great and have spent many long hours telling our daughter about seals they have spotted and which birds can be seen through the telescope on the viewing platform.
Rossall Point Watch Tower
This incredible leaning building was designed by a friend of ours. On a clear day you can spot its from the hill above the house in Glasson Dock.
Its a great place to visit if you are interested in architecture and or coastal wildlife, or if you just like to take a stroll along beautiful beaches.
The volunteers here are great and have spent many long hours telling our daughter about seals they have spotted and which birds can be seen through the telescope on the viewing platform.
Entertaining the kiddies on wet days
When the weather demand you look for indoor activities we recommend a trip to The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre which includes a Cinema, Curling (I know amazing, right?), Crazy Golf, Bowling and shops.
Its about a 20 minute drive away down the A6 towards Preston. There is also a large garden centre on the same site which boasts and incredible and not to be missed Christmas display in the lead up to the festive season.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre
Garstang RoadWhen the weather demand you look for indoor activities we recommend a trip to The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre which includes a Cinema, Curling (I know amazing, right?), Crazy Golf, Bowling and shops.
Its about a 20 minute drive away down the A6 towards Preston. There is also a large garden centre on the same site which boasts and incredible and not to be missed Christmas display in the lead up to the festive season.
Art and Craft
A Victorian woollen mill about 30 mins drive away in Sedbergh. Farfield offers a range of art and craft workshops, a gallery, tearooms and shops.
Farfield Mill Arts & Heritage
Centre Garsdale RoadA Victorian woollen mill about 30 mins drive away in Sedbergh. Farfield offers a range of art and craft workshops, a gallery, tearooms and shops.
A grass roots theatre well known for outstanding productions.
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The Dukes
Moor LaneA grass roots theatre well known for outstanding productions.