Lancaster Maritime Museum, Lancaster

...and it is dominated by Lancaster Castle, the scene of the famous Pendle Witch Trial an now a prison.


It is below this castle, on St Georges Quay that the Lancaster Maritime Museum stands.
The museum is in the former Custom House and warehouse buildings, it is a lovely Georgian building with a perfect riverside setting overlooking the River Lune. Next to the Museum are buildings which belonged to the Quaker slave trader ...
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Lancaster Maritime Museum covers the maritime trade of Lancaster, the history of the port, the Lancaster Canal and the fishing industry of the Lune Estuary and Morecambe Bay. It was built when Lancaster was growing into a rich city which exported furniture and other goods to the colonies as well as importing cotton, rum, sugar, mahogany and slaves. At least two past mayors of Lancaster were also slave ship captains. In those days, ... more

LANCASTER MARITIME MUSEUM

Judging by the amounts of reviews I am writing about my local area I think I must be trying to boost the population and get you all to come and live here, but I really do have to write a review about his incredible little museum that really is well worth a visit.

For those of you that don't know Lancaster, it is a lovely little city.
It is situated on the River Lune and was the ancient settlement that gives Lancashire its name and it was was granted city status in 1937 for its "long association with the crown" and because it was "the county town of the King's Duchy of Lancaster". The history of the city is based on its port and canal and it is dominated by Lancaster Castle, the scene of the famous Pendle Witch Trial an now a prison.

It is below this castle, on St Georges Quay that the Lancaster Maritime Museum stands.
The museum is in the former Custom House and warehouse buildings, it is a lovely Georgian building with a perfect riverside setting overlooking the River Lune. Next to the Museum are buildings which belonged to the Quaker slave trader Dodshon Foster.

St Georges Quay on which it stands has just had a lot of refurbishment done and the whole quay is looking very pleasant. The Lune is quiet now - home just to the many wild birds that flock to the area and the odd speed boat or water ski that may pass by, but in days past it was a hive of activity with with ship building and the loading and unloading of goods that were brought into this important port.

Lancaster Maritime Museum covers the maritime trade of Lancaster, the history of the port, the Lancaster Canal and the fishing industry of the Lune Estuary and Morecambe Bay. It was built when Lancaster was growing into a rich city which exported furniture and other goods to the colonies as well as importing cotton, rum, sugar, mahogany and slaves. At least two past mayors of Lancaster were also slave ship captains. In those days, it was fashionable to have a "Negro servant", this fascinating museum tells the story of Lancaster's past - good and bad..

The building was designed by the famous local architect Richard Gillow from the Gillow furniture making family and was in use as a Custom House from 1764-1882 .There are two warehouses next to it, built around 1797,one used for the storing of goods like alcohol and tobacco ( those with a high tax on them) , the goods in other warehouses included sugar, cotton and hardwoods. Thre are still some of the original features of the warehouse like the hoist mechanisms used to bring goods into and out of the building. During the 1930s part of the ground floor was converted into an electricity sub station. In 1948 the building was converted into a theatre. The Maritime Museum was opened in 1985 - taking ten months to restore the building to its original state.

The interior of the museum is as impressive as the outside. The ground floor, used to be the Weigh House where goods were marked, handled, weighed and checked before being taken into warehouses.The large fireplace there was a haven for the wet and cold seamen. On the first floor were the offices used by the Custom officers. The original shutters and iron bars to the windows, together with some of the glass.have survived and are on display. The house also includes two period room settings. The first one shows the Collector's Office decorated and furnished in the late Georgian period , the second in comparison shows the goods handling of the local dock workers.

The museum is an ideal place to spend a few hours and it is also child friendly with lots to keep them entertained.Throughout the museum the displays and exhibitions include smells, sounds and reconstructions to tell the story of the port of Lancaster, the Lancaster Canal and Morecambe Bay. It tells us everything from the slave trade to the fishing that still goes on in the bay. There are displays that showhow the Port of Lancaster used to work, up to a model of todays Morecambe Bay Gas field.
Other features include four restored local fishing vessels,(including 'Sir William Priestley' and 'Coronation Rose'), early coracles, a passenger canal boat to walk through set in a canal scene, half a stage coach to sit in and an aquarium.There is also a model of the "Waterwitch", one of the luxury horse drawn long barges that carried passengers down the Lancaster Canal from Kendal to Preston - now a local canalside pub has taken on the name The Waterwitch.
There are stories of the Press Gang that used to grab local men in alittle Inn further up the Lune; the pub - The Golden Ball, is known locally as'Snatchems' due to the fact that the men finding the King's Shilling in his ale would be snatched and whisked away to sea. The pub is still a great place to stop for a drink and soak in the atmoshere.

There are also some interesting stories and displays about crossing the sands from Morecambe to Grange - and the people who havn't made it and also some good displays on the local fishing industry - both past and presentas well as details of the natural history of Morecambe Bay.

As well as Lancaster's trade history and the story of fishing in the Lune Estuary and Morecambe Bay the history of the Lancaster Canal. is also displayed. It shows the construction and operation of the Lancaster Canal from 1797 and includes displays and information on the nearby Lune Aqueduct and the fast packet boat from the areas. Children always seem to enjoy the full-size walk-in reconstruction of the forward half of Waterwitch II from 1839. Currently there is a new exhibition celebrating the Lancaster Canal which was officially opened in 1797, it was initially a 43 mile section between Preston and Tewitfield, in 1819 it reached Kendal.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Don't worry this is one attraction that doesn't break the bank.
Entrance for Lancaster residents is free.

The price for non-residents is £3 per adult, £2 per concession and accompanied children free.

But it is well worth considering the Lancashire Xplorer Pass which can be bought at the museum.

Tne Xplorer Adult Season gives 1 years unlimited access for 1 Adult to the Lancashire Museum of your choice for £6 .
The Xplorer Adult Multi-pass gives 1 years unlimited access for 1 Adult to all Lancashire Museums plus 10% discount at Lancaster City and Rossendale Museum shops for £10
The Xplorer Family and Friends Multi-pass gives 1 years unlimited access for 2 Adults and 2 Concessions to all Lancashire Museums plus10% discount at Lancaster City and Rossendale Museum shops £18
As there are five museums (Lancaster Castle, Lancaster City Museum, The Cottage Museum, Lancaster Maritime Museum and The Judges Lodgings in Lancaster itself it is well worth thinking about the multi-pass.

WHEN IS IT OPEN?

From 4th April to end of October it is open everyday 11am - 5pm. From 1st November until 3rd April it is open everyday 12:30 - 4pm.
It is closed Christmas and New Year and you need at least two hours for your visit

WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES?

Gift shop
Café serving light refreshments
Fully accessible to disabled users
Toilets including disabled and baby change facilities
Visitors with guide dogs welcome
Induction loop
Family events and activities

HOW TO GET THERE

Lancaster located in Lancashire, in the Northwest of England.
BY CAR
Leave the M6 at jct 33 or 34 and follow signs for Lancaster city centre. Follow the signs for the A6 north from the city centre and turn left in St George's Quay just before reaching the bus station.
Lancaster Maritime Museum is located about half a mile along the quayside.
For St Nav users the postcode is LA1 1RB

PARKING

Free parking on site.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The nearest train station is Lancaster which is only a 10 - 15 minute walk from the museum. The station is on the West Coast Mainline and has regularservices to London & South and Glasgow & North. Local services include a regular service to Morecambe.
The nearest bus station is Lancaster which is less a 5 -10 minute walk to the museum.

This museum is defiantly worth a visit - why not give it a try.

Summary: A look into the past but with an eye to the future.

 

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