Autumn activities in Lancaster
by Gabe Nelson
Lancaster, although being a fairly small city, is a beautiful area in the North West of England with lots of lovely little attractions to keep you and your housemates entertained outside of your student accommodation this Autumn.
One of the biggest parts of Lancaster is the university itself, just 5 minutes from Bailrigg Student Living and a mere three miles from Lancaster train station. The campus itself has four different departments for each of the course areas and a three-storey Ruskin Library, named after the famous writer John Ruskin. Within the vast grounds there is also the Peter Scott Gallery which houses a variety of art, including a special selection of Japanese and Chinese art which anyone can visit during the opening hours.
In the city centre (a short bus ride away from our Lancaster student accommodation) is Lancaster Castle, built in the 11th century. It is an interesting place to visit on a day out with a lot of history attached to it, as it served as a defensive structure when the Scottish invaded England and once again during the English Civil War. It was then somewhat forgotten after the 17th century as the monarchy released all prisoners and it could not be used as a military base due to there being several demolished towers. However, In the 1950s it was turned into a Category C prison for male prisoners, which served as a prison for 61 years until the early 2010s, when Her Majesty planned a large-scale refurbishment to clean up the castle before it became a public attraction again.
Another monument in Lancaster is the Ashton Memorial which was built by Lord Ashton in the 1900s in memory of his late second wife. It is the tallest building in the Lancaster area, standing at 50 metres tall, with a Baroque style, making it look similar to India’s Taj Mahal. There is a first floor viewing gallery which allows visitors to see for miles in the distance, with a view of Morecambe Bay and the Lake District mountains on a clear day. The building can also be hired to be used as a venue for weddings.
The Williamson Park, located adjacent to the Ashton Memorial is another popular venue for weddings and events like concerts, with the park itself covering a whopping 53 acres. There is a Pavillion Cafe at the centre which serves coffee and basic food such as fish and chips or sandwiches. Beside it is the Mini Zoo which houses several species of insects and even meerkats! It is paired with the Butterfly House, which has been transformed to match the habitat typically found in a rainforest to accommodate many exotic butterflies and amphibians. Both of these have an entry fee, which is £3.50 for adults.
There are also four museums in Lancaster which explain the history of Lancaster and what important events have occurred. The main City Museum has a basic history of Lancaster dating back to the Roman Empire, with more detailed information about the army and war in the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum. The Cottage Museum is a small exhibit which is part of an 18th century house and gives an overview into how Victorians lived in Lancaster during that time. Lastly, there is the Maritime Museum, a building by the harbour that contains historical facts about the fishing trade in Lancaster and how the port was used by the navy in olden times.
So whether you have lots of time or only half an hour, there are many things to explore in Lancaster at the weekends this autumn.
