Why visit Lancaster?
Varied coastlines
Although it sits a couple of miles inland from the Irish Sea, Lancaster is close to lots of varied seaside spots.
The broad and sandy beaches around Morecambe Bay, about 10 minutes’ drive to the west, are the closest to the city centre – come here for kite-flying and sandcastle-building, or to try out hands-on activities like horse riding, sailing, paragliding and windsurfing.
In contrast to Morecambe’s art deco buildings and bustling seafront, the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (15 minutes) is a wildlife haven tucked away just to the south of the Lake District. This is the place to ensconce yourself in a camouflaged bird hide with your binoculars at the ready (for folk who find that sort of thing too sedentary, there’s also a wide range of great walking trails in the local area).
National parks and spectacular scenery
Lancaster’s compact city centre makes it easy to escape to the countryside, and there’s a lot of it about in this scenic part of Lancashire. National Parks like the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales can both be reached in about half an hour (although you’ll need to anticipate a slightly longer drive if you want to get out to the wildest parts of the parks’ interior).
Another excellent option is the Forest of Bowland, which despite its name is a mix of gritstone fells, wooded valleys and peat moorland to the south and east of Lancaster. Set out in this direction if you’re after days of mountain biking or hikes through sparsely-inhabited landscapes.
Lancaster Castle
One of the best-preserved and most fascinating castles in Britain can be found right here in Lancaster, where almost 1000 years of history are on display in an impressive location by the river Lune.
The castle has endless nooks and crannies to poke around, from the grand Norman keep to its twisting staircases and shadowy dungeons.
To make the most of your visit, look out for the guided tours that take place here on a regular basis.
The best things to do in and around Lancaster
In town
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Take a tour of Lancaster Castle, or set out on a self-guided adventure on the Lancaster Treasure Hunt Trail to learn more about the city.
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Sip on fine ales and watch the fermentation process in action at Lancaster Brewery.
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Set sail on a voyage of discovery at the Lancaster Maritime Museum and learn about this city’s important connections to the sea.
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Visit the Cottage Museum to get a feel of what life would have been like here hundreds of years ago (just mind your head on the way in…).
The best things to do within an hour’s drive of Lancaster
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Take a soothing stroll with furry friends at Hebbs Alpacas (15 minutes), a small-scale farm just south of Lancaster.
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Escape the city for the scenic views around the Trough of Bowland (25 minutes), or carry on towards Clitheroe to see the ferocious beasts at Bowland Wild Boar Park (45 minutes).
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Try out watersports or embark on lakeside trails at Fell Foot Path in Newby Bridge – just the job if you want to explore the southern part of Lake Windermere.
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Put rollercoasters, sticks of rock and dodgems on the agenda with a trip to Blackpool’s famous Pleasure Beach.
Delve deeper
Wanders around Williamson Park
On a sunny day when all is right with the world, the good people of Lancaster head to Williamson Park, a gorgeous expanse of green space with woodlands, playgrounds and spectacular views over the coast.
Williamson Park also has a number of great visitor attractions, including a butterfly house and the elegant Edwardian Ashton Memorial.
Lancaster Canal
The Lancaster Canal is a bit different from other waterways in England. Until the 21st century, this 41-mile navigable stretch was unconnected from the rest of the British network, giving it a distinct character that passing boaters won’t fail to appreciate.
Landlubbers looking for a bit of entertainment by the water will also find plenty of options here, from kayaking and canoeing through Lancester to taking strolls out to the spectacular Lune Viaduct just to the north of the city centre. Canal cruises are also available in spring, summer and autumn.
Ferries to the Isle of Man
In the mood for a Manx adventure? Lancaster is just a few miles from the Douglas to Heysham ferry, making this part of Lancashire a top base for campervans, caravans and motorhomes embarking on adventures across the Irish Sea.
Here’s how
Ready to start looking around for a Lancaster holiday? Whether you’re after cosy camping cabins or campsites near the Lancashire coast, Pitchup has sites for all tastes and budgets. Some of our most popular options include:
Not found anything with availability for your dates? Try expanding your search to Lancashire, or browse for breaks in other parts of the North West of England like Cumbria and Cheshire.
