Explore the History and Heritage of Lancaster, Morecambe and Surrounding District

There are few places in mainland Britain to which access depends on the tide. Sunderland village and Sunderland Point, near Lancaster, are among them. They are well worth a visit.

Lancaster expanded considerably during the Georgian period between 1720 and 1830.

The expansion of Lancaster in the Georgian period had two drivers – influence and money, which were connected. The influence came partly from being the commercial and manufacturing centre for north Lancashire with trading links to Ireland and the Baltic.

This guide suggests a walking tour of the town that showcases some of the most important of Lancaster’s remaining Georgian buildings.

Carnforth Iron Works Railway, known locally as the L’al Cheggie Line, is approximately a 3 mile flat walk. Good footwear is required, and ideally walking on a clear day is recommended to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of Morecambe bay. 

It ran from 1866 until 1929. It followed a track from the site on Warton Road opposite the railway station, towards Silverdale and the Scout Cragg Quarry where it picked up limestone, an ingredient of the smelting process at the Iron Works.

Lancaster has had four town halls, it's first in 1363 was a rather modest Tollhouse that housed a Council Chamber as well as cells.

This podcast supports our published one no 114 all of which can be found, read and downloaded on our web page at www.lancastercivicsociety.uk and click the link 'Guides, Leaflets and Walks to the Lancaster & Morecambe District

Lancaster's first station opened in 1840 and from then on the area grew to such importance in the UK network that the Lancaster to Morecambe line was chosen as one of the first experimental electrified lines in 1908

Number eight in our podcasts series based on our over one hundred walks and guides to the Lancaster Morecambe District visits Lancaster Cemetery. Opened in 1856 it has one of the few memorials dedicated to those fallen during the Crimea War of 1853 to 1856. The cemetery is an extremely interesting place to visit from an historical perspective as well as affording excellent views over the City and Morecambe Bay

The Ashton Memorial is Lancaster’s most obvious landmark and perhaps its best known. It is readily visible to travellers passing Lancaster on the train or M6 and  you can see its green dome and white stonework from many parts of the town. 

But why is it there? Gordon Clark explains. 

Gordon visits the nearby village of Glasson, just a short walk or bicycle ride from Lancaster along the old railway line, and explores the port and docks

The fifth in our series of Podcasts based on Lancaster Civic Vision's guides and walks to the Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth district and read by their author Gordon Clark.

The Bridges Over the River Lune - It is possible to create many different figure of eight walks, up and down the River Lune in Lancaster, using different combinations of the bridges mentioned in this Podcast.