By Train
Lancaster castle is located only 300 metres from Lancaster Railway Station. The station is on the West Coast Mainline and offers regular services both locally and nationally.
By Bus
Lancaster Bus Station is just over half a kilometre from the castle. The bus station is a hub for services across the Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham area, and the bus station is also a stop for National Express services. Visitors to the castle might prefer to alight at Common Garden Street, if their bus stops there, because the route from there to the castle entrance is less steep than from the bus station.
By Car
Located near to Lancaster city centre, the castle is signposted from the M6 Motorway. If travelling from the north visitors should exit the M6 at Junction 34, if travelling from the south they should exit at Junction 33.
We are unable to offer car parking on site. Car parking can be provided for wheelchair users, visitors with limited mobility and ‘blue badge’ holders but only by prior arrangement. Please call us in advance on 01524 64998 if you would like to discuss making such arrangements.
Parking
A limited number of on-street pay and display spaces are located at the front of the castle but these are limited to a maximum stay of 2 hours. Visitors to the castle are therefore advised to make use of one of Lancaster’s larger pay and display car parks. Car parks are well signed from all arterial routes into the city centre.
Further details can be found here: https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/parking/car-parks
Visitors might also consider making use of Lancaster’s ‘park and ride’, which is an inexpensive all-day option. It is located just off Junction 34 of the M6. Park and ride buses operate Monday-Saturday and the China Street park and ride bus stop is less than 5 minutes walk from the castle.
Lancaster Visitors Map
Please download the pdf map here Lancaster Visitors Map
Further information
Visitors are advised that the castle is located on top of a hill and that approaches from all directions are steep. The visitor entrance is via the main gateway to the castle at the front of the building (the John O’Gaunt gate).
Visitors should note that some of the ‘fingerposts’ around the city centre are out of date and currently point you towards the old castle entrance at the rear of the building (ie. adjacent to The Priory Church).
