Gina’s guide to Lancaster & local area
Sightseeing
Williamson Park is lovely and is right next to the apartment - just head up the hill and you will find it! There's a cafe, walks in the park or woodland behind, two play areas for children, or you could visit the butterflies or mini-zoo.
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Williamson Park
Quernmore RoadWilliamson Park is lovely and is right next to the apartment - just head up the hill and you will find it! There's a cafe, walks in the park or woodland behind, two play areas for children, or you could visit the butterflies or mini-zoo.
If driving/cycling, check out the Forest of Bowland - a real local gem. https://www.forestofbowland.com/. If you don't fancy driving far, go to Rigg Lane car park and walk up or around Clougha (a big hill). Further afield is the Trough of Bowland (good picnic spots on the way), and quaint villages like Slaidburn.
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Forest of Bowland AONB
If driving/cycling, check out the Forest of Bowland - a real local gem. https://www.forestofbowland.com/. If you don't fancy driving far, go to Rigg Lane car park and walk up or around Clougha (a big hill). Further afield is the Trough of Bowland (good picnic spots on the way), and quaint villages like Slaidburn.
It's a flat cycle ride or longish walk up Canal, then the River Lune towards Caton. A beautiful spot with several options for riverside walks..
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Crook O Lune Picnic Site
It's a flat cycle ride or longish walk up Canal, then the River Lune towards Caton. A beautiful spot with several options for riverside walks..
Morecambe is easily reached by public transport or the cycle path, and has a long pedestrianized promenade stretching from the suburb of Bare (north-east)(nice, with largeish park) to Heysham (south-west).
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Morecambe-Promenade
Unnamed RoadMorecambe is easily reached by public transport or the cycle path, and has a long pedestrianized promenade stretching from the suburb of Bare (north-east)(nice, with largeish park) to Heysham (south-west).
You can park at Half Moon Bay (with a cafe) or in Heysham Village (cafes and a pub). The Bay is lovely at low tide. it’s also worth visiting the National Trust site with ancient graves, grassland and beaches (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/heysham-coast).
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Half Moon Bay Cafe
Smithy LaneYou can park at Half Moon Bay (with a cafe) or in Heysham Village (cafes and a pub). The Bay is lovely at low tide. it’s also worth visiting the National Trust site with ancient graves, grassland and beaches (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/heysham-coast).
Food scene
Brunch or later at the Quarterhouse Kitchen-Bar (https://www.thequarterhouse.co.uk/) (only 5 minutes walk, good early bird dining deals)
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The Quarterhouse
13 Moor LnBrunch or later at the Quarterhouse Kitchen-Bar (https://www.thequarterhouse.co.uk/) (only 5 minutes walk, good early bird dining deals)
Brunch/lunch at Brew Cafe is one of our favourites. https://brewespressoeatery.com/ Other good places for coffee are The Hall https://thecoffeehopper.com/locations/the-hall/ and the Herbarium https://www.facebook.com/TheHerbariumBar/
Brew
18a Brock StBrunch/lunch at Brew Cafe is one of our favourites. https://brewespressoeatery.com/ Other good places for coffee are The Hall https://thecoffeehopper.com/locations/the-hall/ and the Herbarium https://www.facebook.com/TheHerbariumBar/
Great pizza. Closed on Sundays. Efficient delivery. Some eating-in tables, too) https://www.aquilapizzeria.co.uk/
Aquila Wood Fired Neapolitan Pizza
80 Penny StreetGreat pizza. Closed on Sundays. Efficient delivery. Some eating-in tables, too) https://www.aquilapizzeria.co.uk/
Siam Balcony
6 Chapel StreetOur favourite Thai restaurant in Lancaster. http://www.arayathailancaster.com/
Our favourite Chinese option in Lancaster, for eating-in. https://www.facebook.com/aromachefLANCASTER/. Alternatively, for cheap and cheerful Asian food, try the Full House Noodle Restaurant.
Aroma Chef
30 Market StreetOur favourite Chinese option in Lancaster, for eating-in. https://www.facebook.com/aromachefLANCASTER/. Alternatively, for cheap and cheerful Asian food, try the Full House Noodle Restaurant.
Casa Pepe tapas
5 Mary StreetDelivery or eat in. Tasty. https://casapepetapas.com/index.php
Pubs
The Borough is a nearby smartish pub serving its own ales, and food. https://www.theboroughlancaster.co.uk/
Similar kinds of pubs-with-food include The Sun, Toll House Inn and The Merchants.
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The Borough
3 Dalton SquareThe Borough is a nearby smartish pub serving its own ales, and food. https://www.theboroughlancaster.co.uk/
Similar kinds of pubs-with-food include The Sun, Toll House Inn and The Merchants.
This is a well-known canalside pub with a wide selections of ales. Serves food.
Alternatively, you could wander further down to the Water Witch, which also has food and is good for catching late sun!). https://thewhitecross.co.uk/
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The White Cross
Quarry RoadThis is a well-known canalside pub with a wide selections of ales. Serves food.
Alternatively, you could wander further down to the Water Witch, which also has food and is good for catching late sun!). https://thewhitecross.co.uk/
This is a charming, tucked away historic pub, serving food, ~8 tables outside. http://thethreemarinerslancaster.co.uk/
Or you could check out the other 2 pubs further down the Quay.
Three Mariners
Bridge LaneThis is a charming, tucked away historic pub, serving food, ~8 tables outside. http://thethreemarinerslancaster.co.uk/
Or you could check out the other 2 pubs further down the Quay.
For craft beers, try this friendly pub which has a fantastic (constantly changing) selection. You can try out the beers before choosing one and they have good offers on during the week. Music several times a week.
The Stonewell Tap
8-10 Church StFor craft beers, try this friendly pub which has a fantastic (constantly changing) selection. You can try out the beers before choosing one and they have good offers on during the week. Music several times a week.
Craft beer micro-brewery and pub. Fantastic beers, not cheap. They don't serve food and have limited opening hours. Check beforehand. There are other micro-pubs worth trying on the way to the university (Wobbly Cobbler) and the excellent Little Bare, in Bare (suburb of Morecambe).
Accidental Brewery and Micropub
Bulk StreetCraft beer micro-brewery and pub. Fantastic beers, not cheap. They don't serve food and have limited opening hours. Check beforehand. There are other micro-pubs worth trying on the way to the university (Wobbly Cobbler) and the excellent Little Bare, in Bare (suburb of Morecambe).
Great example of Lancaster's "music pubs". Albeit not normal due to COVID... If you're keen on listening to local musicians in pubs, check out the Sounds of the City facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/661195110750370/).
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Ye Olde John O'Gaunt
53 Market StGreat example of Lancaster's "music pubs". Albeit not normal due to COVID... If you're keen on listening to local musicians in pubs, check out the Sounds of the City facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/661195110750370/).
Interesting stuff going on in a repurposed warehouse with outdoor space and music. http://kanteena.co.uk/
Nothing fancy but sometimes good music and atmosphere.
We like their burgers and potatoes. They deliver food but there is also a large bar.
Kanteena
Brewery LaneInteresting stuff going on in a repurposed warehouse with outdoor space and music. http://kanteena.co.uk/
Nothing fancy but sometimes good music and atmosphere.
We like their burgers and potatoes. They deliver food but there is also a large bar.
Food/ice-creams/Brewery/soft-play (not all together!)
No-frills restaurant next to a farm shop. A very good value carvery at weekends, with huge portions! A good local experience. In the same leisure park there is also a good local ice cream place (take away), Lancaster Brewery (they do tours, and there's a bar), the quirky GB Antiques (think more flea market than high-end stuff), and Giggles soft play (currently closed).
COUNTRYSTYLE MEATS
Wyresdale RoadNo-frills restaurant next to a farm shop. A very good value carvery at weekends, with huge portions! A good local experience. In the same leisure park there is also a good local ice cream place (take away), Lancaster Brewery (they do tours, and there's a bar), the quirky GB Antiques (think more flea market than high-end stuff), and Giggles soft play (currently closed).
A handy wet weather option for kids. Alternatives in Morecambe, and rural locations (e.g. Old Holly Farm near Galgate).
Giggles Play & Adventure
Wyresdale RoadA handy wet weather option for kids. Alternatives in Morecambe, and rural locations (e.g. Old Holly Farm near Galgate).
Lancaster Brewery
Wyresdale RoadDo tours. There's a bar.
Huge, pretty cheap. Quite interesting to wander around. Think flea market rather than high end.
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GB Antiques
Wyresdale RoadHuge, pretty cheap. Quite interesting to wander around. Think flea market rather than high end.