• Welcome to The Friend’s 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

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  • There will be no Victorian Tearoom in August. So our next tearooms will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September for Heritage weekend.

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  • The Friends’ Regency Ball

    It was a wonderful, magical evening for all the guests.

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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

Family History Workshop

Starts: 11th September 2026 11 am Ends: 11th September 2026 1 pm Family History Workshop View more events at Lancaster Judges Lodgings…

Family History Workshop

Starts: 12th September 2026 – 11 am Ends: 12th September 2026 – 1 pm Family History Workshop Want to start building your…

Pop up Victorian Tea Room

Starts: 19th September 2026 – 11.30 am Ends: 20th September 2026 – 3.00 pm Join the Friends in the pop up Victorian…

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