Step back in time…
Next to Lancaster castle, you’ll discover the fine regency rooms and beautifulGillow furniture at the Judges’ Lodgings Museum. Explore this impressive residence, home tovisiting judges for 200 years. Follow in the footsteps of the house’s first resident, Thomas Covell, notorious for locking the Lancashire witches in their underground dungeon.
Then enjoy a trip down memory lane upstairs in thechildren’s nurseries and a Victorian Schoolroom.
Bringing the stories of Lancaster to life through the city's oldest town house
“Well worth a visit with some fine examples of Gillow’s furniture. The attendants were friendly and helpful”.
“The Judges Lodgings is THE place to visit in Lancaster. The building is a beautiful Georgian townhouse with an interesting history set in an old area of cobbled streets near Castle and Priory.”
“Fabulous museum, very well organised. Great display of Gillow furniture – tremendous asset for Lancaster”
The Judges’ Lodgings and the Law
The Judges’ Lodgings’ connection to the law dates back to the late Tudor/early Stuart period when Thomas Covell, Keeper of Lancaster Castle, lived here. Covell, […]
Visit Us
Admission
Adults £5 | Children FREE
Friends – free (proof of membership required)
A free ticket is available if you need a companion or personal assistant to make your visit accessible and enjoyable
Take a closer look...
Mrs James Hardman
Joseph Wright of Derby, Mrs James Hardman, 1769, oil on canvas,...
Learn More“Well worth a visit with some fine examples of Gillow’s furniture. The attendants were friendly and helpful”.
“The Judges Lodgings is THE place to visit in Lancaster. The building is a beautiful Georgian townhouse with an interesting history set in an old area of cobbled streets near Castle and Priory.”
“Fabulous museum, very well organised. Great display of Gillow furniture – tremendous asset for Lancaster”
Location:
Church St,
Lancaster,
LA1 1YS
Contact us:
01524581241
Opening hours:
The Judges’ Lodgings is now only open on Fridays for the winter until March. The museum will be also be closed on Friday 5th December and also Friday 26th December and Friday 2nd January 2026 as they are Bank Holidays.
Park and Ride
There is a Lancaster “park and ride” which is a cheap all day option. It is located just off Junction 34 of the M6. The park and ride buses run Monday – Saturday and the China Street bus stop is close to the Judges’ Lodging Museum.
Parking nearby
There are on street pay and display spaces located on Castle Hill with a limit of 2 hours or visitors can make use of one of the town centre’s pay and display car parks. There are 3 public car parks within 500m of the museum – Railway Station (LA1 5NW), Parksafe (LA1 1EQ) and Dallas Road (LA1 1TW). Car parks are well signed from all routes into the city centre.
Arriving by train
The Judges’ Lodgings Museum (LA1 1YS) is located 500m from Lancaster Railway Station (LA1 5NW). The station is on the West Coast Mainline and also has a direct service to Manchester and Manchester Airport. It has regular services both locally and nationally.
Arriving by bus
The Judges’ Lodgings Museum is located only 300m from Lancaster Bus Station (LA1 1HD). The bus station offers services across Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham as well as the No. 555 bus to destinations in the Lake District. The bus station is also a stop for the National Express services.