New Walking Tours For Visitors
Small groups of visitors to Lancaster Castle are being offered a walking tour of the courtyards, with limited access to the historic interiors of the court room and Shire Hall, as the Castle continues to re-open to the public.
In line with Government guidance, tours inside of the majority of the buildings are not permitted for larger groups and social distancing measures must be maintained at all times. In response, Lancashire County Council Museums Services has developed a walking tour of the courtyards pointing out the origins and history of the various buildings and their later use while the Castle served as a Category A prison.
Walking tours are free of charge and last for 45 minutes. They take place throughout the day, starting at 10:30 and finishing at 15:45 hrs. Visitors are advised to pre-book as numbers remain limited while social distancing measures remain in place. A small number of ‘walk-ins’ will be permitted at the discretion of the tour guides provided numbers do not exceed the maximum.
A new standing exhibition has also been created on the ground floor of the medieval Well Tower which chronicles the story of the Lancashire Witches. Created by resident embroidery expert and exhibition curator Sara Dennis, the display is made up of a series of information boards, atmospheric images and a diorama of the gruesome end of those accused up on Pendle Hill. Access to the exhibition is also free of charge, although children should be accompanied at all times and visitors are requested not to touch the exhibits.
The Kitchen café, managed and run by local coffee roasters and baristas Atkinsons, has been trading on site since April, offering table service in the courtyard. The team is now looking forward to serving even more customers by making tables available within the spacious open plan interior.
Lancaster Castle remains the jewel in the crown of the city’s resurgent tourist industry, averaging more than 500 visitors each day since the Duchy reopened the historic John O’Gaunt gate on 12th April.
Full guided tours will resume as and when Government restrictions around social distancing measures are lifted. To book a walking tour or for further details please contact the Tour Guides direct on 01524 64998.
