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Get active in Lancaster

Get active in Lancaster

Choosing a university is a big decision – and will lead to experiences you’ll remember for your whole life. You’ll no doubt have considered which one best suits your education and career goals, so now it’s time to focus on the location itself. Lancaster is one of the north’s most vibrant university cities – and is bursting with things to do.  

Staying healthy  

Lancaster offers a variety of options for those that love to stay healthy and explore. In addition to its range of healthy restaurants, - see our Get Out and About blog - you can take part in a range of activities to boost your mental health and wellbeing.  
 

Outdoor runs and hiking  

For the outdoor fitness enthusiast, Lancaster has it all. The idyllic River Lune and its surrounding canals present the perfect backdrops for runners, and you’ll find many of them gracing its banks morning, noon and night. The city centre banks make for an atmospheric run – before taking you through gorgeous nature reserves and woodland. There are also various reservoirs nearby that are popular running and hiking spots.  
 
The city’s expansive countryside and parks are the perfect places for a range of other outdoor activities. Be sure to visit the enchanting Williamson Park, which is just a few minutes away from campus by foot, home to the iconic Ashton Memorial, beautiful parkland, woodland walks and breathtaking views of Morecambe Bay. The Fairfield nature reserve across the other side of the city offers a chance to escape from the city into its wildlife oasis. 


Gyms 

There are several gyms you can choose from in Lancaster. Snap Fitness and Salt Ayre are just a few that are popular with our students and have some great value membership packages. We also have various health centres with swimming pools here in Lancaster – the Salt Ayre Leisure Centre boasts a large pool and a range of aqua classes.  
 
And, of course, we have our own health facilities. Be sure to visit our University of Cumbria Sports Complex, where we regularly host a programme of classes, events and training sessions. Here, you can take part in a variety of sports, including football, tennis, badminton – and many more. We also have our own gym, which many of our students prefer to those in the city as we offer such good value for money! 

 
Classes 

If you prefer to take part in a specific sport or class, Lancaster has some great options. Just opposite the campus is the City of Lancaster Gymnastics Club, which offers memberships and classes.  
 
By the river, there’s also a CrossFit centre, which our students love. This offers high-intensity classes that are designed to push you to your limit and help you reach your endurance goals.  
 
Lancaster has a variety of sports centres, health clubs and gyms, all of which offer a great choice of classes. From aerobics to Zumba to kickboxing, there’s something for everyone in this city. 
 
Another huge draw of Lancaster is its array of water sports. As we’re lucky enough to enjoy easy access to a river, our residents take up pastimes such as canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and boating. Various watersports centres sit along the riverbank, and most of these are reachable by foot. For thrill-seekers, why not go a step further and head on over to the Halton Rapids. Situated on the River Lune just North West of the city, this natural wonder creates white water rapids that are popular with kayakers and rafters year-round.   

Take advantage of Lancaster's fitness scene by applying for one of our Lancaster-based Health and Social Care, Sports, or Business courses.

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