Through the Pretty Places series we have ventured through English history with Tudor architecture, medieval settlements and Georgian beauty but this edition travels way back in time to pre-Roman Britain. Known to have existed in the 1st century AD, Lancaster is a historic town with plenty to see, here are some of our favourite parts:

Made up of over 52,000 residents, the town of Lancaster is situated with the city of Lancaster, within the traditional county of Lancashire in the north-west of England. Though there are remains of a Roman fort and Roman baths, it is the medieval period which is most visibly present in Lancaster today. The House of Lancaster originated in the 13th century, winning the War of the Roses in the 15th century until eventually merging into the House of Tudor. Today, the illustrious history of Lancaster and its connection with ruling monarchs continues with each reigning monarch inheriting the Duchy of Lancaster, currently held by Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Lancaster. 

Lancaster Castle, which traces its origin to the Roman fort of 60 AD has been rebuilt and redeveloped over the centuries by Normans, Scots, Plantagenets and Parliamentarians with the castle that stands today recognisable to Tudor monarchs such as Elizabeth I who had fifteen catholics executed at the castle. The castle was also the scene of the Pendle witch trials of 1612 and even until 2011 the site continued to run as Her Majesty’s Prison. Today, however, visitors can roam the central courtyard for free, which also has a cafe running regular events. 

Much of Lancaster’s attractions are situated close to the castle including Roman ruins, the 17th century Lancaster Priory and plenty of winding cobblestone streets, which appear largely unchanged for centuries. If you’re a history buff or simply adore historic architecture, Lancaster is the perfect day trip. The Judges Lodgings Museum – also situated close to the castle – is open to the public and is furnished in period style with 18th-century furniture, art and antiques. Other sights in the town include The Grand Theatre, which is the third oldest theatre in Britain and the Ashton Memorial, a grand Edwardian Baroque-Style folly located in Williamson Park. The memorial is 150 feet tall, sat atop a hill, which overlooks the town and can be seen from miles around.

Lancaster is served by a railway station located, conveniently, at the foot of Lancaster Castle with regular trains to and from close-by cities such as Preston, Blackpool and Manchester, as well as further-afield cities like London. Closest airports include Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Find out more about Lancaster and plan your trip at the Visit Lancashire website here. Nearby Pretty Places include Whalley. You can view other posts in this series by using the ‘Pretty Places‘ tag.

images: scene therapy