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Travel and Tourism
This page contains information on timetables and tickets, on places to go and on what you can do there, and local information about things to do in Lancaster.
Timetables and tickets
Buses
For getting from campus into Lancaster town centre. Most buses leave and return to campus at the underpass in Alexandra Square.
2/2A/X2 University - Lancaster
For more timetables see here.
Trains
National Rail - Provide times and sell tickets across all national rail networks. You can also find out train times by ringing 0845 7484950.
It can be cheaper to buy tickets in advance directly from the train operators. Those running frequent services through Lancaster are listed below.
Tickets can also be bought from the travel shop in Alexandra Square and various other websites.
Coaches
National Express - Provide a coach service that picks up regularly from the underpass and the bus station in town to various parts of the UK.
Places to go
General Information
Visit Britain - Official tourism site of the UK, find information in your own language!
The Lake District
The largest English National Park located in north-west of England
If you would like to visit the Lake District during the course, here is a suggested one-day itinerary:
1. Get a train to Windermere and then a bus or walk down to Bowness-on-Windermere. Alternatively, get a bus directly to Bowness-on-Windermere.
2. Take a "steamer" (boat) on Lake Windermere from Bowness to Ambleside at the top of the lake. From here you can get a bus to the centre of Ambleside, with its shops and attractions such as the smallest house in England, or straight on to the village of Grasmere (passing by the lakes of Rydal Water and Grasmere on the way).
3. In Grasmere, apart from the shops, the main attractions are the churchyard, which contains the graves of the poet William Wordsworth and other members of his family, the nearby Old School House, which sells a delicious form of gingerbread, and Dove Cottage, the home of the Wordsworths from 1799 - 1808. If you have time, it is also possible to go on short walks near the lake or towards the nearby hills.
4. Return by bus to Windermere and then get the train back to Lancaster, or get a bus all the way back.
NB The weather in the Lake District is often different from in Lancaster, even though it is close by. It is usually a little bit colder than in Lancaster as well. So check before you go and dress accordingly.
Liverpool
Named European Cipital of Culture 2008, Liverpool is only one and a half hours away by train.
Tate Liverpool - One of the Tate's four regional galleries.
Beatles Museum - Museum about the famous band.
York
One of England's most historic towns - a significant centre of trade and culture for hundreds of years - it has many attractions within it's Roman walls.
York tourism - York City Council tourism website.
York Minster - Thousand year old Christian Church.
Jorvik Viking Centre - Very good museum about the history of the Vikings in York.
Clifford's Tower - Norman Castle in the centre of York.
London
The home of Arsenal football club. Also the nations capital and worth visiting.
Visit London - Main tourism website.
Palace of Westminster - The seat of government.
Leeds
Leeds is about two hours away on the train and is an excellent place for shopping.
Leeds tourism - Leeds City Coucil tourism website.
Leeds, Live it, Love it- Website listing events, attractions and places to stay in Leeds.
Manchester
The closest major city to Lancaster with lots of things to do.
The Lowry - Gallery named after the Manchester artist LS Lowry.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a beautiful historic city.
Edinburgh Festival - Major cultural event running during August.
Local information
Lancaster Tourism - City Coucil site on things to do in Lancaster.
Williamson Park - Public park in Lancaster with impressive views, a monument and butterfly house.
Lancaster Castle - Local landmark, still a working prison.
Duke's Theatre - Cinema and theatre on Moor Lane.