A couple of summers ago, a family from India came into my shop. Almost immediately the father came over to me and addressed me by name. He knew my name because his son had been in a few days earlier and we had chatted for a while.
Anyone that frequents my shop will know that I am a bit of a chatterbox. This is part of the reason I love my job. Every day is different and it is directed by the people that come in, be they customers, visitors, friends or deliveries.
The father started by thanking me for the way I had treated his son. He went on to explain that they had only arrived in the City earlier that week. As his son was going to be left here to study at Lancaster University, he thought he would throw him in at the deep end by telling him that he had to go and explore the University and City by himself.
The Ashton Memorial sits on one of the two hills overlooking Lancaster. The Castle sits on the other.
The ensuing conversation left me feeling very proud of being part of Lancaster, an adopted Lancastrian. He waxed lyrically about the City, its businesses and its people. So helpful. So kind. So welcoming. These were the statements he was making.
He explained that he was a factory owner back home, and as a result of his business, he had travelled to many different countries and to many great City’s. Lancaster was the stand out City for him and he was happy to leave his son here, for what was to be three years.
There can be no greater compliment to a place, or to its people, than to have a stranger entrust their child to you, for safe keeping and nourishment. When our children, as very young adults, go off to a strange place, usually knowing no one, this is indeed what we are doing.
Albeit in different contexts, the very same sentiments are offered on a fairly regular basis about Lancaster, and that got me thinking. Lancaster has been welcoming people for a long time.
Lancaster has a two thousand year history. It was a Port even before the Romans arrived, circa 60AD. The Romans set up their Fort where Lancaster Castle now sits proudly overlooking the City. The Romans took our hospitality for around 400 years, calling it ‘Loncastre’. So called, because ‘castre’ is Latin for Fort and ‘Lon’ for Loon, the river Lune as we call it today. Fort on the river Lune.
‘Loncastre’ was mentioned in the Doomsday Book (interestingly this was written in Latin), a manuscript record of the “Great Survey” of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror, who as you know, conquered in 1066. ‘Loncastre’ became a borough in 1193 under King Richard I.
The House of Lancaster battled with the House of York for control of England in the ‘Wars Of The Roses’, 1455 – 1487. Lancaster and York are still, to this day, represented by Red and White roses respectively. This is followed by further dark events, namely the trial and hanging of the Pendle Witches, 1612, and Lancaster’s part in the abhorrent ‘slave trade’ years.
Lancaster’s status as a Port, as directed by a 1750 Act of Parliament, brought a great deal of wealth, and helped the growth of industry. Mahogany was one of the products imported which was used by Gillows of Lancaster. Gillows & Co later merged with Waring of Liverpool to become the more well known ‘Waring & Gillow’. World famous for their beautiful furniture, panelling and even staircases.
Another industrialist, James Williamson also called Lord Ashton, left a lasting legacy in the City. Lord Ashton was the ‘Linoleum King’, manufacturer of the product that is now found ever where, lino. He was one of the City’s major employers and had built many of the City’s finest buildings including Ashton Hall, the Town Hall, Ryelands House and the stunning Foley, Ashton Memorial, nestled proudly in 54 acres of parkland and is visible from anywhere in Lancaster.
Lancaster is often just thought of as a Market Town or a University town. Both is true. Two of the finest Universities nourishing around twenty thousand students a year. Lancaster gained its first Charter and the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair, in 1193.
Lancaster has lived through conquests, disease, civil wars, the industrial revolution and two World Wars. Modern day Lancaster is a Georgian City filled with treasures from its illustrious past. Lancaster Castle is an afternoons viewing in itself. A part of it is still used as a Court, but a tour of what is one of the most complete Castles in Europe, is an absolute must.
Take the cobbled path from the Lancaster Priory (next to Lancaster Castle) past the remains of Roman Baths on to St Georges Quay where the Maritime Museum. Many of the old warehouses are still there, just repurposed. As with any place you visit, you must venture down the side streets and covered yards. Here is where you will often find the heritage buildings like the ‘Music Room’, on Sun Street.
There are a further three museums, The Judges Lodgings, City Museum and Cottage Museum, but the Georgian architecture can be enjoyed by simply walking around the Streets, whilst taking in the amazing shops, bars and eateries.
If it’s evening entertainment you require, then the two theatres should not be missed. The Grand Theatre is one of the oldest in the country, dating back to 1782, and has been in near continuous use all of this time. There are countless Events and Festivals to take in, most are free and for all to enjoy.
All this history is contained within one square mile. One of the many things I love about Florence, is how compact it is. Lancaster also has this advantage – no we don’t have the Ponte Vecchio or the Uffize Gallery – but we have far more than many other towns and cities have, but most people have yet to visit us.
Despite all its heritage and assets, Lancaster has managed to stay compact, and to put that into context, here are the most recent population figures I could quickly find; York 209,900, Chester 118,200, Bath 88,859 and Lancaster 52,234.
As you will appreciate, a day trip will not allow you to take in Lancaster and everything it has to offer. Twenty Twenty-One is very likely to be the year of the ‘Stay-cation’ and to that end, we have no shortage of fantastic accommodation for you to book into. Whether you want City centre, or not, there is such a stunning selection to consider.
We launched our Facebook Group (TotallyLocalLancaster) four months ago and we now have over seven thousand Members. This prompted us to launch our own website to showcase Lancaster through our eyes, experience our passion for the City.
Although we will continue to further develop the website, it is your guide to all that is Lancaster; The City That Loves To Welcome People…
