A view of Lancaster showing the Lune, the Millennium Bridge and the Ashton Memorial

Lancaster (pop. 1991 c.44,500) is a town in Lancashire, North West England. It is the main settlement in the City of Lancaster. The city is located on the River Lune (from which it derives its name, through Loyne Castre) and the Lancaster Canal. It was the administrative centre of Lancashire until 1974. Lancaster Castle, partly built in the 13th century and enlarged by Elizabeth I, stands on the site of a Roman garrison. Lancaster Castle is well-known as the site of the Pendle Witches' trial in 1612. It was said that the court based in the castle (the Lancaster Assizes) sentenced more people to be hanged than any other in the country outside of London, earning Lancaster the nickname 'Hanging Town'.

Lancaster gained its first charter in 1193 as a market town and borough, but was not given the status of a city until 1937. Many buildings in the city centre and along St. George's Quay date from the 1800s, built during a period when the port became one of the busiest in England. However, Lancaster's role as a major port was short lived, as the river began to silt up. Now it is primarily a service-orientated city.

At Bailrigg, a short distance south of the city is Lancaster University, one of the top universities in the North West. The A6 road joins the University and city. The city is also home to St Martin's College, primarily a college for teacher training.

On March 5, 2004, Lancaster was granted Fairtrade City status.

The city lies in the Lancaster & Wyre constituency for elections of Members of Parliament to the House of Commons, and the North West which elects 9 MEPs to the European parliament.

Geography

The M6 motorway passes to the east of Lancaster, and the West Coast railway line connects to Lancaster railway station.

Features of Lancaster

• Lancaster Castle
• Lune Millennium Bridge
• Williamson Park
• Ashton Memorial and Butterfly House
• Lancaster Cathedral
• The Storey Institute
• The Judges Lodgings
• Quayside Maritine Museum

See also

• City of Lancaster
• Duke of Lancaster
• Duchy of Lancaster

External links

• Ordnance survey map of Lancaster circa 1890
• Google maps link to Lancaster
• Tourist information website
• Alternative guide to Lancaster A4 pdf to print out - includes map.
• Virtual Lancaster - Independent Lancaster news and resources.
• The Open Guide to Lancaster - A Wiki town guide based on Lancaster, Morcambe and Lancaster University.