Lancaster

Lancaster is the historic county town of Lancashire, about 95 km north of Manchester. TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast trains run roughly hourly from Manchester Piccadilly and take about an hour, with single fares of around £15-30. Driving via the M61 and M6 takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. The station is on the edge of the city centre, and most sights are within a short walk or a short uphill climb.

Lancaster Castle, which also served as a court and prison for centuries, is open for guided tours costing around £12-15, and the tour includes the Crown Court and the cells. The neighbouring Lancaster Priory sits on the same hill and has views over the city. The Georgian quays on the River Lune and the Millennium Bridge offer a riverside walk, and the Judges' Lodgings museum near the castle shows period furniture and the city's cabinet-making history. On the hill to the east, the domed Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park is visible for miles and gives sweeping views over Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells.

A relaxed one-day itinerary begins with the castle tour in the morning, followed by the Priory and a wander through the old streets around Church Street and Market Square. Lunch is available in the city centre's cafes and pubs, including independent places near the canal. The afternoon suits the walk up to Williamson Park and the Ashton Memorial, then a riverside stroll along the Lune. Visitors with spare time can take a local bus to Morecambe, whose seafront promenade and Eric Morecambe statue make a short coastal addition before returning.

April to October offers longer days for the park and the coast, although the castle and Priory are good in any weather. Castle tours run on set times and can be affected by court use, so check the schedule before travelling. Weekdays are quiet, and arriving by late morning leaves enough time for all the main sights.