Lancaster Castle

Come to Lancaster Castle for a truly unique experience.

Owned by the monarchy for over 600 years, this impressive and inspiring castle was used as a prison from the Middle Ages until very recently and is still used as a court. What better place to learn about history, from the Lancashire Witch Trials of 1612 to the riots of the 19th-century? This is a wonderful opportunity to see a courtroom and learn how the law has operated over the centuries.

This is history in the raw and in the making – plus it’s a lot of fun! See the castle courtyard, try to find your own name among the 600+ coats of arms hanging in the Shire Hall and spend some time as our ‘guests’ in the old cells for an experience not to be forgotten.

Contact:

The Shire Hall, Lancaster Castle, Castle Parade, Lancashire LA1 1YJ
Email: lancastercastle@lancashire.gov.uk

Website: www.lancastercastle.com

Facilities

    Booking & Details

    Cost for Castle Tour (delivered by Castle Tour Guides):

    £4 per pupil with one adult admitted free for every 10 pupils and any other adults charged at pupil rate.

    Cost for Crime Through Time learning session (delivered by Heritage Learning Lancashire):

    Half day session (2 hrs)
    £3 Lancashire County Council pupil  / £4 Academy or non Lancashire County Council pupil

    To book:

    To enquire about a school booking contact: Heritagelearning@lancashire.gov.uk

    Learning Sessions & Activities

    Activity

    Crime Through Time

    Led by Heritage Learning Lancashire. With exclusive access to the former Lancaster Prison’s ‘A’ Wing, this exciting and fully immersive session will investigate 2,000 years of crime prevention. Visit the Felon's Tower to develop your historical enquiry skills through investigating real-life cases from the Victorian era. Only available on Tuesday mornings and runs in conjunction with the Shire Hall tour. Session for KS2.

    • KS 2
    • Anglo-Saxons
    • History
    • Romans
    • Victorians
    Find out more
    Activity

    The Shire Hall

    Our guided tour explores the administration of the law through the last 1000 years and experience what it meant to be imprisoned at the castle. Tours last approx. 60 mins and can be subject to the use of the Crown Court within the castle.

    • KS 2
    • History
    • Law
    • Local History
    Find out more

    Additional Activities

    Tuesdays only

    Why not make a day of it?

    After your guided tour of Lancaster Castle there are plenty of other places to visit: Judges’ Lodgings and the Cottage Museum, Lancaster Maritime Museum, Lancaster City Museum and Lancaster Library are all walking distance from the castle.

    Crime Through Time

    (KS2)

    Led by Heritage Learning Lancashire.

    With exclusive access to the former Lancaster Prison’s ‘A’ Wing, this exciting and fully immersive session will investigate 2,000 years of crime prevention.

    Visit the Felon’s Tower to develop your historical enquiry skills through investigating real-life cases from the Victorian era.

    Only available on Tuesday mornings and runs in conjunction with the Shire Hall tour.

    Session for KS2.

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