Search results
The castle is now open to the public seven days a week and is undergoing a large-scale refurbishment. There is a large sweeping public piazza, allowing access to the cloistered area, renovated in 2019.
Reputed to be the oldest continually sitting Crown Court in the country, this oak-panelled room still features the original branding iron used on ‘malefactors’ appearing in the dock. The courtroom – but not the branding iron! – is still in use today.
We are happy to accommodate documentary, drama or full-scale movie crews for filming at Lancaster Castle. As well as the atmospheric medieval castle areas we also still have the intact former HM prison cells and walkways, in use until as recently as 2011.
Since being established by the Romans the castle has been a home to monarchs, a place of trial and execution, and a working prison right up until 2012. Still a crown court, the majority of the castle is now open to the public for the first time in over 1,000 years. Duration: 1-2 hours.
- (2.7K)
- Attraction
- Castle Parade, Lancaster
The current purposes of Lancaster Castle are to serve as a tourist attraction and educational facility. The former prison and military stronghold has been heavily renovated since 2011, most recently in 2019, with the addition of the university suite. The castle is also actively used as a Crown Court.
May 25, 2021 · 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 12 th April. Full guided tours will resume as and when Government restrictions around social distancing measures are lifted.
Currently, due to ongoing covid-19 restrictions, we are only able to offer open air tours of the courtyard area. These are free of charge and run regularly throughout the day between 10:00 and...
