The Lancaster Maritime Museum, situated on St George’s Quay, offers an insightful look into the city’s rich maritime history. Housed in a former Georgian customs house and warehouse, the museum explores Lancaster’s connections to global trade, shipbuilding and the fishing industry.
Lancaster’s maritime heritage is closely tied to its role as a prominent port in the 18th century. The city thrived through trade routes linking it to the West Indies, North America and the Baltic. The museum also acknowledges Lancaster’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, providing a comprehensive view of its historical significance. As the port declined in the 19th century, the city’s maritime influence waned, but its historical impact remains a key part of Lancaster’s identity.
![The Lancaster Maritime Museum is inside the former customs house, overlooking the River Lune. (Photo: Robert Eva [CC BY-SA 2.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/lancaster-maritime-museum-1.jpg)
What to see at the Lancaster Maritime Museum
Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits detailing Lancaster’s maritime history. Displays include ship models, maritime artefacts and historical documents that illustrate the city’s role in global trade. The museum features an extensive collection of objects related to the fishing industry, highlighting the importance of fishing to the local economy.
A section of the museum is dedicated to the history of the Lancaster Canal, showcasing its role in transporting goods. Interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations help bring these stories to life. The museum also includes displays on shipbuilding and the lives of sailors who worked out of Lancaster’s port.
The museum’s location in a former customs house adds to the authenticity of the experience. Visitors can see original architectural features, offering a glimpse into the building’s past use.
Temporary exhibitions
In addition to its permanent collection, the Lancaster Maritime Museum hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:
Umbrella Legs: John Walker of Sunderland Point
John Walker, known as Umbrella Legs for his distinctive attire, documented life around Morecambe Bay through photography. This exhibition (until 28 February 2025) showcases a selection of his photographs from the museum’s collection, alongside photographic equipment and related objects from the archives.
Visiting the Lancaster Maritime Museum
The museum is on St George’s Quay, around a five-minute walk from the city centre. Most other points of interest in Lancaster are no more than a 15-minute walk from here.
The museum is open Friday–Monday and the admission fee is £3 with free entry for local residents and visitors with the National Art Pass.
Most areas of the museum, except for the small mezzanine gallery, are wheelchair accessible. However, access is only available to one wheelchair user at a time on each level above the ground floor.
Allow 1–2 hours to fully explore the Lancaster Maritime Museum.
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