Historic Lancaster on the river Lune has been a settlement since Pre-Roman times and is dominated by it's great stone Medieval castle (with later additions), perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. Today you can visit the castle museum, and a host of other attractions from the excellent Maritime Museum to the Judge's Lodgings, which contains an outstanding collection of Robert Gillow furniture. Nearby Morecambe is famous for it's huge sandy bay, which with the aid of the Queen's Guide, you can walk accross at low tide.
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Explore Lancaster's golden age of prosperity and it's role in the slave trade at Lancaster Maritime Museum. The Museum is set in the former Port of Lancaster Custom House - a fine Georgian building designed by the architect Richard Gillow. Explore the Port of Lancaster through sights, smells and reconstructions, and learn about the social and natural history of Morecambe Bay. Many other exhibits relating to all things nautical in the area are on display.
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This fascinating building has dominated Lancaster for
almost 1000 years and is one of the best preserved castles in the
country. See the place where the Pendle Witches were convicted and condemned
to die. Experience the dungeons and imagine what it was like to have
been imprisoned there. Visit the Crown Court where thousands of
convicts were transported to Australia and then marvel at the beautiful
Gillow furniture in the Grand Jury Room and the famous display of
heraldry in The Shire Hall.
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Williamson Park in Lancaster comprises 54 acres of beautiful parkland with
enchanting walks and breathtaking views to the Fylde
Coast and the Lake District. The Tropical Butterfly House, Mini-Beasts,
Bird Enclosure and Small Mammal section will fascinate all the family
and add a touch of the exotic to a visit to one of the city's leading tourist
attractions. Enjoy the pleasant surroundings of the Pavilion Cafe or walk up to the balcony of the fabulous Ashton Memorial.
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Morecambe Bay is the largest continuous intertidal area in Britain. The
Bay is fed by five rivers - the Leven, the Kent, the Keer, the Lune and
the Wyre. On the east and north of the Bay, the sandflats are bordered
by extensive areas of salt marsh, only ever covered by the very highest
tides. Crossing is only possible at low tides with the leadership of a
professional guide. Guides have been employed by the Duchy of Lancaster
since 1536 and the current oficial Queen's Guide is Cedric Robinson.
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Established over thirty years ago, the Port of Lancaster smokehouse has retained and maintained the traditional methods of
preparing and curing fish and meats of all kinds. Wherever possible they source local and in season wild salmon from the River Lune, sea trout and local game. White fish is bought
daily from Fleetwood fish market and the potted shrimps are from
Morecambe Bay. You can also try sausages from
traditional recipes, and if you like the sausages you will love the oak
smoked English back bacon.
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The Judge's Lodgings Museum is Lancaster's oldest town house, dating
from the 17th century. It was originally home to witch hunter Thomas
Covell and displays a wealth of furniture, porcelain, silver and
paintings. There is a stunning collection of Gillow furniture displayed
in period rooms, an impressive recreation of an Edwardian schoolroom
and an enchanting childhood collection of dolls, toys and games from
the 18th century to the present day.
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The Dukes Cinema and Theatre is Lancaster's cultural hotspot. It shows
a selection of both mainstream and off-beat arthouse and historical
films and hosts regular performances of plays, musicals and concerts. There
are three main spaces; a 240 seat theatre space, a 313 seat cinema and
a 112 seat space for use by young people. You can also book tickets for
open air theatre in nearby Williamson Park in summer. A trendy bar
serves drinks and snacks.
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Heysham Village is well worth a visit and is one of the most interesting Anglo-Viking settlements in Northwest England. It has a history stretching back thousands of years, evidenced by the
ruins of St Patrick's Chapel with graves hewn out of solid rock upon
the headland hidden beyond St Peter's Church. Take a walk past old cottages and down onto the shore at Half Moon
Bay. Enjoy some afternoon tea in the village cafe or dine in the beer
gardens of the 16th century village pub.
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The River Lune Millennium Park stretches some 15km along the banks of
the Lune from Bull Beck near Caton to Salt Ayre in Lancaster. The river Lune was the subject of Turner's sketching tour of 1816, and
the Crook O’ Lune (a meandering bend in the river to the east of
Lancaster) is now a popular starting point for walks. Look north east to see the majestic plateau of Ingleborough - one of the Three Peaks.
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The collection at The Peter Scott Gallery includes works by artists from the St Ives School, Sir
Terry Frost, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Barbara Hepworth and William
Scott. Among other British artists whose work is represented are Norman
Adams, Patrick Caulfield, Elizabeth Frink, Kenneth Martin and Winifred
Nicholson. Within the last fifteen years works by Andy Goldsworthy,
Peter Howson and Albert Irvin have been acquired.
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