Lancaster Castle, Lancashire

The historic castles of Britain are amongst the most well known of all of the country’s buildings. Many, including the likes of Warwick Castle, are popular tourist attractions, open to the public. Lancaster Castle though is perhaps unique, as although it is a historic castle, a Grade 1 Listed Building, and situated on ground classed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it has also been a functioning court and category C grade prison. This though, doesn’t prevent it being one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lancaster, Lancashire for many years.

The site of Lancaster caste is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, and therefore the British monarch, with buildings maintained by Lancashire County Council, and prison buildings leased to the prison service. The route by which Lancaster Castle came into being and ultimately into the hands of the monarch is one which takes in many of the most important aspects of English history.

Lancaster Castle Main Gate - Tom Oates - CC-BY-SA-3.0

The site of Lancaster Castle, on a hill in the city centre, was occupied by a series of Roman forts, the first of which dated from about 79AD. The site of course came into prominence with the construction of stone castle buildings, starting somewhere around 1090AD by William II. The castle was owned by Roger de Poitou, although a falling out with Henry I saw the castle pass into the hands of the king. It was from this period that Lancaster Castle’s Keep was built. The Keep is twenty metres tall with walls up to three metres thick.

The castle was owned by King Stephen, and saw action in his civil war with Matilda, and subsequently ownership passed to Richard the Lionheart, who gave the castle to his brother John. By the thirteenth century Lancaster Castle was one of the most heavily fortified in the region. By this point though the need for a heavily fortified castle in the area diminished, and much of the later work was more aesthetical than defensive.

Shire Hall, Lancaster Castle - Ian Taylor - CC-BY-SA-2.0

The most famous elements of Lancaster Castle include the Well Tower, or Witches’ Tower, consisting of dungeons and wells. It was here that the Pendle Witches were held whilst awaiting trial and conviction. Hadrian’s tower is nearby and is another old feature of the castle, although not as old as the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who legend says built the tower. There is also the John O’Gaunt Gatehouse, a twin towered gatehouse, and considered one of the finest of any gatehouse in England.

Lancaster Castle saw more work in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when the castle was put into full time use as a court and prison. The Shire Hall was constructed in this period, with the hall now showing of hundreds of heraldic devices. Lancaster castle is home to the court room that has been in operation of the longest continuous time and was the court where thousands of people were deported to Australia. The court is also said to have passed more death sentences than any other court in England, although it is a dubious record that might also be given to a number of London courts.

Lancaster Castle from Above - Nuttytimmy - CC-BY-SA-3.0

Up until 2011 Lancaster Castle was still home to HMP Lancaster Caste. The prison of course meant that large areas of the prison complex, including the dungeons, battlements and keep, were off limits to the general public. There were though areas that could be visited, and the history of the castle could be learnt about, as part of a guided tour around the open areas of the castle.

Guided tours operate very day, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, from 10.30am through to 4.00pm. The nature of the guided tour does vary depending upon what court sessions, and prison activity is being undertaken. Additionally there are also special events held at Lancaster Castle throughout the year. It is a good idea to phone through to the booking office for a space on a guided tour, and to find out about events, as at peak times Lancaster Castle can get very busy. Plans are afoot to make more of what should be one of Lancaster's premier tourist attractions.

For those interested in the history of England then Lancaster Castle is a great place to visit, and indeed the castle remains one of the best examples of medieval architecture in the country.

Copyright - First Published 22nd August 2010