Lancaster is a genteel beauty, graced with Georgian townhouses in the centre of town, and some very grand stately homes just outside, plus a castle, a priory church and a cathedral. Lancaster also has a canal, an aqueduct and a university, so it can be lively, as well as elegant and historic. The best places to stay in Lancaster range from friendly pubs-with-rooms, through historic hotels, and manor houses turned B&B — a good range for all budgets!

This area has been inhabited since the first century, when the Romans had a fort here — and a bath-house — and historians think it’s been continuously inhabited since. With all these stories to tell, Lancaster has a collection of impressive historic buildings and some fantastic museums, including a maritime museum.

Lancaster’s arts scene offers up a carousel of interesting art, music and theatrical opportunities — as with many great university cities. The Nuffield Theatre, one of the largest studio theatres in Europe, the Peter Scott Gallery, the annual ‘Play in the Park’, and Litfest, Lancaster’s literature festival, are probably the jewels in Lancaster’s arts crown. Lancaster’s foodie scene is lively and creative too, its ale scene is especially impressive, making the best places to stay in Lancaster great, and unusual, options for a food-lovers mini break.

The Best Places to Stay in Lancaster

Best Pubs-with Rooms

• The Toll House Inn is an historic pub-with-rooms in the heart of town, close to Lancaster Castle. There are 28 rooms, plus the pub, and a pub restaurant known for its locally-inspired menu. The decor in the rooms is simple and stylish, while they’ve gone for a bit more pizzazz in the pub and restaurant

For Great Value

• The Sun is a 16 room hotel, which has been welcoming guests to its Church Street address since the 17th century. Past guests include Turner, Dickens and even Bonnie Prince Charlie. We think it's got a great range rooms — there are some compact excellent value options, as well as spacious, high-ceilinged suites. Breakfast is served until 11am at the weekends, and in summer it spills out into a sunny courtyard.

Best B&Bs

• The Ashton is an exquisite Georgian manor house turned B&B, only five minutes from the centre of Lancaster. There are five, carefully styled rooms, plus you can expect a hearty breakfast and relaxing atmosphere.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Lancaster is on the West Coast Main Line, which means regular rail connections to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, the Lake District, London and Glasgow. If you want to get close by plane, Manchester Airport is a good option, about an hour away from Lancaster by car or taxi, or two and a half hours by bus. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is around an hour and ten minutes away by car or taxi, or about two hours on the train; and Leeds Bradford Airport is about an hour and twenty minutes by car or taxi, or three hours by public transport. If you’re coming from London, the direct trains run out of Euston, and take about two and a half hours. Scotland’s airports and stations are not inconvenient either.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• If you want to time your visit to Lancaster with the region’s best weather then aim for the late spring and summer months, May through September. Lancaster’s autumns and winters are cool and damp, but not freezing, so there’s no reason to be put off. Whatever time of year you plan to visit our Gurus advise you carry wet weather gear. In Lancaster there’s always some chance of rain.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Lancashire
• Consider some of Lancaster’s neighbours like the best places to stay in Blackpool
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.