What Is Living In Lancaster Like? A Guide To Lancaster

Where is Lancaster?

The historic city of Lancaster, is a wonderful place to live, with its mix of countryside, entertainment options and one of the countries best universities a stones throw away. Situated on the River Lune sits the city of Lancaster, a city rich in captivating British history and exciting modern culture. From the historical castle walls, you can learn stories of the past and be immersed in Georgian architecture as they curve over the river.

Lancaster is situated in the county of Lancashire and is home to a castle, a cathedral, Lancaster University and the campus of the University of Cumbria.

In this guide we go over everything you’ll ever need to know about living in Lancaster; from discussing the best neighbourhoods to the ratings of the schools to where to get some retail therapy, this blog holds all the answers to your questions and more!

Is Lancaster a Nice Place to Live?

People in the north of England have a reputation for being friendly and approachable, with Lancaster making no exception. Although the district of Lancaster is large the actual city of Lancaster is relatively small compared to its neighbours Liverpool and Manchester, making it much easier to explore. With a smaller statue, you get all the benefits of living in a city without all the hustle and bustle.

So, is Lancaster a nice place to live? Of course, there are parts of Lancaster that are nicer than others, much like any other place in the UK, and some crimes do tend to be higher. Places such as the city centre and north of the river tend to have higher crime rates and smaller properties making them more undesirable places in Lancaster city to live.

However, as a whole Lancaster is a lovely city filled with culture, community, and history. Alongside the friendly locals, you’ll find that you are never too far away from anything, only 120 minutes to London by train and you can be in Manchester in under an hour. If you want more nature and wide-open spaces it’s only 45 minutes to picturesque lakes and Gisburn.

What Is the Population of Lancaster

The population of Lancaster is estimated to be 142,900 according to the 2021 census, increasing by 3.3% compared to 2011 when the population was around 138,400. This is slower than the England and Wales population growth of 6.6%.

Other local places nearby also have a similar population size, such as Blackpool with 141,100 residents  or Blackburn with 121,475 residents. If you’re looking for somewhere with less people residing, check out Barrow in Furness.

Is Lancaster a Safe Place to Live

Lancashire is among the top 20 most dangerous counties in England, with crime rates being 77 crimes per 1,000 people.

Between the months of September 2021 to August 2022, February 2022 was the month with the worst crime rate with 192 crimes committed and July 2022 was the best month with only 129 crimes committed. The highest types of crime in the Lancaster district are violent crime and anti-social behaviour, with 670 anti-social behaviour crimes and 528 violent and sexual offence crimes committed in the last year.

Average House Prices in Lancaster

The average house cost over the past year for Lancaster is around  £189,729. This has stayed consistent compared to the previous year. The following shows the average property cost in Lancaster:

Detached

The current average sold price for detached houses in Lancaster is £389,205.

Semi-Detached

The current average sold price for semi-detached houses in Lancaster is £231,276.

Terraced

The current average sold price for terraced houses in Lancaster is £178,086.

Flat

The current average sold price for flats in Lancaster is £128,029.

Renting in Living in Lancaster

 The following shows how much a rental property costs in 2022 Lancaster:

Room – £1,176

Flat – £1,293

House – £1,343

Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (Pcm):

1 bed –  £677

2 beds – £868

3 beds – £1,068

4 beds – £1,280

What are the best neighbourhoods in Lancaster

If you’re looking to buy a look down along Quayside and up near the Ashton Memorial might be the ideal place to start, recently a collection of new builds have become available in this area and might provide you with the perfect home for you and your family.

If you have a family or young children, you might want to start your search around Aldcliffe, Scotforth and the surrounding areas of the Ashton Memorial, as it provides the perfect setting for quieter family life.

If it is the quiet village life you seek with easy connections and access to the city, Halton might be the village for you. With a picturesque village vibe and great primary schools, this lovely village is sure to fit everyone’s needs.

What is the Transport like in Lancaster

Rail

Lancaster Railway station serves the West Coast Mainline with direct services to and from London, Glasgow and further up north. Local services provide regular visits between Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth and Silverdale with other less regular services travelling along links to major stations including Leeds and Manchester.

Car

Take the M6 south down to Blackpool (51minutes) or Manchester (80 minutes) or venture eastwards towards Leeds on the M62 (120 minutes). Whatever location you were looking to get to, from Lancaster you sit in a great central location to easily get wherever you want to go!

Bus

You’ll find Lancaster Bus Station on Damside Street in Lancaster city centre, where you can catch the stagecoach and even the National Express service. If you’re a university student, you’ll be pleased to know that the Lancaster University campus can also be reached from here through Megabus services.

Air

There are many opinions of airports should you wish to jet off, the closest with a distance of 48 miles is Leeds Bradford Airport, however, due to its size and many flight options the recommended airport is Manchester Airport which is 52.2 miles away from Lancaster city centre.

What’s The Closest Airport To Lancaster?

The closest airport to Lancaster is Blackpool Airport. If you take the A65 eastwards you’ll find the journey will take you just over 90 minutes.  However, should you want more destinations, more shopping and more flight options, you might want to travel the extra 10 miles (52.5) down south towards Manchester Airport instead. Head south on the M6 and when you reach junction 20A, take the M56 towards the airport. This journey will take you just under 80 minutes.

What Schools are in Lancaster

There are 40 primary schools, 12 secondary schools and 7 schools/colleges that are from ages 16 to 18. Out of these 55 education institutions, 8 received an outstanding Ofsted rating, 27 received a good Ofsted rating, and 5 require improvement. This leaves 15 schools without recorded data.

The top 3 schools in Lancaster as rated by SchoolGuide are:

Lancaster Royal Grammer School

Lancaster Girl’s Grammer School

Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy

What Universities Are In Lancaster?

The two main universities in Lancaster are Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria.

Lancaster University

Occupying 560 acres of parkland in Bailrigg sits Lancaster University. A social hub of community and culture you’ll find all you need on this one campus, from bakeries to hair and beauty shops there are many places to relax, enjoy and socialise around the campus fully immersing you in university life. Placing in the top 10 university league tables across 3 different platforms (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020, The Guardian University Guide 2020, The Complete University Guide 2020) and winning the International University of the Year 2020 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 shows the high level of success and standard that Lancaster University offers.

University Of Cumbria

Central to the city centre offering a campus set back in beautiful surroundings with stunning views of Lancaster, this university offers amazing programs for every branch of education and boasts about its fully kitted sports complex, expansive library and brand new teaching blocks allowing you to maximise your educational and social experiences.

Student Accommodation In Lancaster

There is a variety of different rooms available to suit the individual needs and budget of every student, from single rooms with en-suites, townhouses and private studios ranging from £143 to £198 per week depending on accommodation type.

Entertainment In Lancaster

Landmarks and History

Lancaster is a place of great historical stories and varied historical architecture, and many stories linking to the royals. First established by the Romans as a garrison on a hill by the river, Lancaster’s first recorded city name was Lancastre, which means ‘Roman fort on the River Lune’. This name was recorded in 1086 in the Domesday Book.

What Lancaster is famous for however is the Lancaster castle, a Grade 1 listing building sitting atop a hilltop in the centre of the city. Its construction began after the Norman Invasion when William the Conqueror wanted to fortify against the scots. The theme of fortification carried on when, in the 12^th century, Queen Elizabeth I raised the height and substance of the castle to become a possible defence point against the Spanish Armada.

Another interesting landmark of Lancaster is The Aston Memorial, built in 1909 by Lancaster industrialist Lord Ashton as a tribute to his late wife Jessy. This building is grade 1 and at 150 feet tall it dominates the Lancaster Skyline.

Top 10 Things to do in Lancaster

1. Lancaster Castle
2. Williamson Park
3. Trough of Bowland
4. Lancaster Canal
5. Lancaster Brewery
6. Lancaster City Museum
7. Lancaster Maritime Museum
8. Lancaster Priory Church
9. The Grand Theatre
10. Lancaster Cathedral

Best Places to eat in Lancaster

Lancaster truly caters to everyone and can always offer a new experience. From a local pub crawl to upscale bars and wineries, from quiet Italian restaurants to fun family-themed restaurants – you can always find what you fancy in Lancaster or discover a place completely new for a fully spectacular experience.

The Top 5 Places to Eat in Lancaster:

1. Molly’s
2. Quite Simply French
3. The Mad Hunter Lancaster
4. The Butcher and Tonic
5. The Three Mariners

What Is The Best Place To Shop In Lancaster?

Much like every city, if you are looking for high-street brands and names for a bit of retail therapy then you can head over to the Marketgate Shopping Centre. However, should you want to immerse yourself in somewhere that truly captures the essence of Lancaster culture and produce the Lancaster Central Market might be the perfect place for you! With produce stalls stretching as far as you can see, what’s on offer is more than your typical market. Here you will find local, fresh produce, and local dairy products, alongside homemade snacks and other giftable items – this is surely an experience you wouldn’t want to miss!

What are the Best Hotels in Lancaster

Depending on your budget and type of visit, there will be a hotel/BnB available to suit your needs. Here are our top 3 picks for accommodation in Lancaster.

Lancaster House

Just 2 miles away from the city centre, the Lancaster House Hotel offers understated luxury with clean, modern rooms, an award-winning restaurant and a Sandpiper Leisure club. Its location is flawlessly placed for all matters of excursions and trips.  Explore the historic city or the beautiful Lancashire Coastline for a relaxed and cultured experience or hop on the train for some retail therapy in larger neighbouring cities.

With a fitness studio, 50ft swimming pool, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi and outdoor hot tub this hotel comes with all the amenities you will need to enjoy your stay and you can be assured that the hotel has earned its 4.5-star rating on Trip Advisor from 1,678 reviews.

Toll House Inn

Overlooking the picturesque Lancaster Canal, the Toll House Inn has a quiet elegance that is just a few short steps away from shops and restaurants. After a long day of exploring the lively town centre and beautiful Lancaster Castle just 700 yards away, you can relax upstairs in this historic building with spacious, modern bedrooms each featuring air-conditioning, a flat-screen digital TV and a power shower.

Premier Inn Lancaster Hotel

Such with any Premier Inn, its location is central to exploring the beautiful, historic city or jetting off to the coast and countryside, and the amenities of the hotel are modern, fresh and clean whilst offering a sense of Luxury. Whether business or pleasure this hotel is sure to satisfy your holiday needs and provide the perfect escape and base to explore all that Lancaster has to offer!

What are the Best Student Nightclubs in Lancaster?

The recommended clubs in Lancaster are Sugar House, Dalton Rooms and Glow Nightclub and Hustle. If you are a student or just someone looking for a bit of fun, you won’t be disappointed but what Lancaster has to offer.

Sugar House

The biggest student night of the week is on a Wednesday at ‘SugarHouse’, the Student Union–run nightclub, if you’re a student you’ll get cheaper entry on presentation of your student card and getting to and from campus is easy with the use of free ‘sugar buses’ that run between the campus and the nightclub to make your trip super easy.

Dalton Rooms And Glow Nightclub

Open 5 days a week until 6 am, this combined venue is sure to have a night that everyone will enjoy. Each night of busy has a different theme which chooses the music accordingly. This club is also home to ‘Social Wednesday’ where all of the social and sports clubs will usually head on their society night out!

With its busy bar, student nights and karaoke (where participants get a free drink and T-shirt!) and Pizza parties this venue goes all out and will ensure a great night out!

Hustle

If you want cheesy music, cheap drinks and a guarantee that you will stick to the floor then Hustle is the place you cannot miss. With themed nights, karaoke, prizes and ultimate cheese this club is one of the most popular in Lancaster and is extremely popular with students.

What Are The Best Student Nights In Lancaster?

Every Monday: Such is the tradition for many university students across the UK, Monday is dominated by Revolutions. The perfect place to party across two floors will offer somewhat of a tamer but just as a fun night!

Every Wednesday: Go down to the Sugar House for an Urban v Indie night where rock and hip-hop fight it out for your attention in two different rooms.

Every Friday: Sugar House once again is the place to be Friday night with a mix of retro 70s, 80s and 90s classics v House and Drum and Bass.

Every Saturday: Truly the cherry on top of The Sugar House’s three nights that no one wants to miss is the RnB Urban hits mixed with House classics that will have the whole crowd jumping.

Where Is The Hospital In Lancaster?

The closest public Hospital in Lancaster is the Royal Lancaster Infirmary which provides a range of ‘General Hospital’ services, including a full Accident & Emergency Department, Critical/Coronary Care Unit, consultant lead beds and a range of planned care services.

You can easily get to this hospital by bus, train or car. Trains and buses are regular to the hospital, with the buses stopping directly outside and the train station being a 15-minute walk away.

Need a Locksmith in Lancaster

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Lancaster Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek^® Locksmiths Lancaster provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standards and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more, all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on-site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you in consider improving the security of your home further still by check out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek^® Locksmiths Lancaster page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01524 238307!