Heart of England's North West
Lancaster is ideally placed for access to the major cities of the North of England. See a map of the UK showing the location of Lancaster
We asked ISC students: "What do you like most about Lancaster city?"
- The shops - the prices are lower than most UK cities
- It's near the Lake District
- Not too big. Not too small
- Topshop
- The people
- Small but convenient
- The city's unique ambience
- It's close to the sea
- Fresh air and warm-hearted people
- Small and quiet - it is a good place for studying
- The Chinese market
A great place to be a student
With over 15,000 students living in the area, Lancaster is a vibrant university city. Bars, cafés, cinemas, night-clubs, restaurants and pubs can be found in abundance as well as everything from small, independent boutiques and jewellers to indoor markets and the well known high street shops. Lancaster offers a wide range of cultural activities. The Duke’s Playhouse is both a cinema and theatre, and presents outdoor productions in summer in nearby Williamson Park. There is an annual literature festival with plays and poetry readings from renowned writers.
A canal runs through the city, lined with waterside inns and restaurants from where you can watch the procession of boats. There are even punts for hire.
Major cities on your doorstep
Lancaster is at the heart of the main Northwest hub of England. For a change of atmosphere, the major cities of Manchester and Liverpool offer dynamic entertainment facilities, outstanding shopping and are particularly famous for their music scenes and football pedigree. Liverpool has been awarded European Capital of Culture 2008.
Lancaster’s location offers the advantage of being within easy reach of big city attractions without having the distractions or insecurity of living in a large urban area.
Lancaster's long history
In the city you will find a medieval castle, which houses the oldest sitting Crown Court in England, a Benedictine Priory Church and the domed Ashton Memorial. All these contribute to one of the city's most spectacular features - its skyline. Lancaster's history is celebrated in exhibitions at the City Museum and at annual events such as the Georgian festival which features costumed re-enactments.
For more information about Lancaster's attractions see the Visit Lancaster website.
Some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK
Although close to major cities, Lancaster University has the advantage of also being within easy reach of some of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the UK. The wide natural lakes and spectacular mountains of the Lake District are famous the world over and easily reached by road or rail. It is a wonderful place to refresh your mind and body whenever you want a break from the busy life on campus. The Lake District provides breath-taking views, tranquil walks and opportunities for paragliding, mountain biking, hiking, sailing or sedate picnics.
If you want the smell the sea air, the coast is also nearby with Morecambe Bay and the famous seaside resort of Blackpool both close enough for a day trip.
Climate
The UK has four distinct seasons. In the North West of England, autumn average temperatures are around 10 degrees C (50 F). In the winter this is likely to fall to around 4 degrees C and then rise again through the spring. In summer, the average temperature is 20 degrees C, but is frequently higher (70 to 80 F). One thing is for certain – weather in the UK is changeable! Rain is fairly common at all times of the year in this part of the UK.
See the current weather in Lancaster: 5-day forecast.
Key journey times
- 15 minutes from the University campus to Lancaster
- 60 minutes from Lancaster to Manchester city centre
- 90 minutes from Lancaster to Manchester airport
- 3 hours from Lancaster to London by train
For more information on travel, see Maps and Transport.