Guided Tours

Due to essential building maintenance work on 16, 19, 21 and 23 May guided tours of the castle will not visit several rooms that are normally included. Tours will still operate on those dates but tours will be shorter than normal and will be half price due to the inconvenience. On 22nd May due to an event taking place in the Shire Hall in the morning, we will be running tours which will only visit the courtyards and prison starting at 10:00, 10:45, 12:15, 1:00 and 1:45. Reduced prices will apply. Adults 18 and over £2.50, children 17 and under £1.50. Full tours will resume in the afternoon and will run at 2:15, 3:00 and 3:45 Due to a civic event in the Shire Hall Court Complex there will be no guided tours on 6 June 2025 until after 14:15

Heraldry

Title: High Sheriff of Lancaster

Name: Sir Ranulph de Dacre

Herald date: 1272-1274

Azure, on a cross Or five escallops Gules.

The family, from Dacre in Cumberland, rose to become Lords of the Northern Marches and were the builders of Dacre castle. As well as holding office in Lancashire, Ranulph was also Sheriff of Cumberland (1268-1278) and then of Yorkshire (1278-80). He died on May 3rd 1286.