Trains to Lancaster

How to get there, what to do and how to get home with Avanti West Coast.

Top 3 things to do in Lancaster

From canal cruises to pub crawls - there's so much to explore in Lancaster.

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Lune Aquaduct Cruise

Voted Lancaster's top tourist attraction, and one of the waterways seven wonders, the Lune Aquaduct Cruise is only a short distance from the city centre.

Operating regularly during summer, Kingfisher Cruises also offer a host of themed canal trips to show you a different side to the city.

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Highest Point Festival

The stunning site of Williamson Park hosts the city’s biggest music festival spanning 3 days from 12-14 May. This non-camping, family-friendly festival 2022 sees Richard Ashcroft, Clean Bandit and Kaiser Chiefs headlining plus top DJ’s and family activities.

You’ll have to move quick for 2022 tickets or keep it in mind for 2023 when hopefully the festival returns

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Dog friendly accommodation

Lancashire boasts 240 miles of bridleways, 137 miles of coast line and two areas of outstanding beauty. Check out some of the best dog friendly accommodation around Lancaster curated by PetsPyjamas.

Dogs onboard

Heading somewhere with your furry friend? Here’s everything you need to know about taking your dog or other pet on the train.


Taking your dog onboard
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Lancaster - Plan your day trip now

Planning a trip to Lancaster and not sure what to do when you're there? Get some inspiration from Visit Lancashire.


Visit Lancashire
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More things to do in Lancaster

Lancaster is a truly historic place that dates at least back as far as the Romans, although it was probably not much more than a fort back then. Its place in history came much later, starting with the building of the castle in the 1200s – with plenty of other bits added and altered over the following centuries. It became the seat of the house of Lancaster, one of the two rival sides in the War of the Roses when the importance of the modern city was formed. You’ll also find a vibrant university town in Lancaster, with modern campuses rubbing shoulders with traditional local architecture. It’s loved by the students as it’s a welcoming city with plenty of bars and nightlife but isn’t anywhere near as crowded as the universities of Manchester and Liverpool a few miles down the track. It’s also surrounded by coast and countryside for exploring, and the Lake District is just a short trip away by train or car.

The station is right in the heart of things, a stone’s throw from the castle and all the cafes, shops and businesses. It’s also pretty much on the coast, a short trip to Blackpool and the Lake District. So whether you’re coming for work, pleasure or culture, hop on the train to Lancaster and soak it all up.

A visit to Lancaster simply has to include a trip to the castle. You can take a guided tour or just wander around the grounds and climb the steps to see some fabulous views of the city and beyond. Then stop off for refreshments in the excellent cafe in the grounds. If everything looks almost pristine, it’s worth noting that this building was still being used as one of Her Majesty’s Prisons well into the 21st century. It’s now under the full stewardship of its owners the Duchy of Lancaster, though, so you don’t need to hide your file in a cake.

If you’ve ever driven past Lancaster on the M6, you might have noticed an imposing monument at the top of a tree-covered hill. That’s the Ashton Memorial, and it’s the centre piece of the beautiful Williamson Park on the East of the city. As well as perfectly kept gardens, there’s a butterfly house, mini-beast zoo, bird and mammal enclosures and a cafe and gift shop to pick up a snack and souvenir of a memorable day.

Lancaster CastleWilliamson Park

As you’d expect in a city that’s full of culture, they love their food and drink around here, so you simply have to sample some of the wonderful restaurants, bars and cafes that are dotted around the city centre and beyond.

Lancaster

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Other popular destinations

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Stoke-on-Trent
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Lancaster Station Information

If you need to know about accessibility, parking, WiFi, toilets or anything else that’s vital to your journey, check out our dedicated page on Lancaster Station:

Lancaster station information