• Welcome to The Friends’ website

    The Judges’ Lodgings Museum is open Thursday to Sunday 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

    Adults £5, Friends of the museum and children 18 and under – free

    We look forward to welcoming you

    Please note that the ground floor Servants Hall and Senior Judges Bedroom on the first floor are closed for 2 weeks. This is to enable works to the rear of the house.

    While this takes place entry to the house will be discounted by 20%. You can still enjoy most of the house including access to the newly refurbished South Courtyard.

    We thank you for your understanding while these important works are completed safeguarding Lancaster’s oldest townhouse. 

    Learn More

  • Our next tearooms will take place at

    The Victorian Christmas Weekend
    Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December 2026
    Do join us.

    Congratulations to all those that helped at The Heritage Weekend tearooms and raised £676.70 for The Friends and The Judges’ Lodgings Museum

    Learn More

  • Welcome to our new manager Rachael Jackson at her Friends’ Committee Meeting

    Learn More

  • The Friends of Judges’ Lodgings presents

    Christmas by Candlelight

    Thursday, 10th December 2026, 6pm -8.30pm

    Learn More

Step back in time…

Next to Lancaster castle, you’ll discover the fine regency rooms and beautiful Gillow furniture at the Judges’ Lodgings Museum. Explore this impressive residence, home to visiting 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 the children’s nurseries and a Victorian Schoolroom.

Bringing the stories of Lancaster to life through the city’s oldest town house

Our Forthcoming Events

Victorian Christmas

Starts: 5th December 2026 11.00 am Ends: 6th December 2026 4 pm Traditional Victorian Christmas Come and join us in Lancaster’s…

Opening hours

The Judges’ Lodgings is now every Thursday to Sunday from 11a.m until 4 p.m.

  • So glad this wonderful place is open again after some tireless work by local volunteers. It is one of the gems of Lancaster, where history is preserved.
    Maggy
  • The staff were delightful and I’d particularly like to thank the lady on the first floor for her excellent vegan cafe recommendation!
    Patrick
  • Fabulous museum, very well organised. Great display of Gillow furniture – tremendous asset for Lancaster
    New Zealand
  • 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.
    Jeremy
  • Well worth a visit with some fine examples of Gillow’s furniture. The attendants were friendly and helpful
    MW

Get involved

Meet new people, have fun, share your knowledge, take on a challenge… get involved with us at Lancaster Judges’ Lodgings.

Volunteer Join the Friends Donations