Get out and about in Lancaster

Why Lancaster?

Choosing a university is a big decision and will lead to experiences you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You’ll no doubt have considered which university 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.

Lancaster is a student paradise, with lots to offer in the way of entertainment. Whether you love to drink and dance, or eating out with friends is more your thing, you’ll have so much to choose from here.

Where to eat in Lancaster

Foodies will love Lancaster’s eclectic restaurant scene – from its cheap and cheerful high street favourites to its stylish and chic cafés. Whether you like British, Italian, Indian, Chinese or Japanese cuisine, there’s something for everyone in this lively city.

Lancaster’s picturesque, winding canal system is a great place to start exploring, with plenty of outdoor dining spots. Dotted along the charming Lancaster Canal you’ll find the Water Witch, an award-winning eatery surrounded by canal boats, as well as the White Cross Bar and Restaurant, a refurbished cotton mill warehouse that fills up fast in the summer months.

Another popular spot for food is the Lancaster Charter Market – a traditional street food market set in Dalton Square. Market stalls offer a range of locally produced treats, including cakes, pies, pastries, breads, cheeses, olives and more. Here, you can also go on a culinary adventure and sample street food from around the world, with choices including Italian flatbreads, Jamaican stew and Indian curry.

For vegetarians and vegans, Lancaster has a lot to offer. At the Whale Tail Café, you can enjoy delicious veggie dishes and gluten-free meals within the confines of a glorious-paved terrace. If a plant-based lifestyle is your thing, try The Herbarium. As well as serving yummy vegan food and treats, the venue is home to a yoga studio and exhibition space, offering the perfect environment to relax, hang out and experience Lancaster's cultural scene.

Where to drink in Lancaster

After you’ve finished dinner, why not go on a night out in the city? Lancaster boasts a number of award-winning cocktail bars and pubs that are popular with students.

If you prefer a more laid-back ambience, boutique cocktail bar Tipple serves up an exciting range of unique drinks in a cosy environment – there are even board games to keep you entertained!

Also offering a more relaxed vibe is Hogarths, a Victorian gin bar with a homely feel. With two big screens regularly showing live sport events, it pulls in an impressive crowd and is buzzing on a weekend. Serving over 80 varieties of gin, there’s no better way to spend an evening.

Some of the city’s quirkier drinking holes include Kanteena, which is housed in a repurposed warehouse, and Bier & Twist, which has a calendar of amazing acts and unmissable events.

And let’s not forget Wetherspoon’s – a student hotspot and the place to go for a low-cost night out!

Get out and about in Lancaster

Lancaster boasts so many layers and, in addition to its buzzing social scene, the market city has a strong history. If you love sightseeing, you’ll love Lancaster – many of its top attractions are within walking distance of our campus. The city centre is a short stroll away, and within a half an hour walk, you’ll discover acres upon acres of parkland and canal paths.

Those who enjoy discovering nature will also love the array of National Trust walking trails nearby, with many popular routes offering brilliant views across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District mountains. You’ll be able to spot a variety of wildlife too, including rare birds and woodland animals. Not far from campus is the pretty Blea Tarn Reservoir, which is popular with walkers and even paddlers in the warmer months.

History lovers must check out Lancaster Castle, which is around a mile away from our campus. Just 20 minutes by foot, this 12th-century castle, ex-prison and courthouse is an on-site museum and runs regular tours for its visitors. In the autumn months, the castle grounds are host to Light Up Lancaster's annual bonfire festival.

Each November and December, the fantastic Lancaster on Ice descends on Dalton Square. This idyllic, frozen Christmas haven is a great day out for a group of friends, with ice skating, Christmas markets, traditional fairground rides, a tipi bar and more.