Maritime Museum, Lancaster
OS Grid ref:- SD473619
The Maritime Museum at Lancaster overlooks the River Lune, amidst the Georgian architecture of St George’s Quay. The Museum is housed in the Port of Lancaster Custom House, designed by Richard Gillow and dating from the second half of the eighteenth century.
The award winning museum uses sounds, smells and reconstructions to tell the story of the port of Lancaster from Viking settlers to Lancaster and Morecambe's rich maritime past and its involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The adjacent warehouse buildings house displays on the Lancaster Canal and the fishing industry of the Lune Estuary and Morecambe Bay. Several preserved vessels are also displayed, including 'Sir William Priestley' and 'Coronation Rose'.
The museum, a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction, also hosts changing exhibitions and events.There is a cafe and shop and parking is available at the rear.
The buildings along the quayside developed around this time as a result of the success of overseas trade. Alongside of the Museum are buildings which belonged to prosperous Quaker slave trader Dodshon Foster.
Directions
Leave the M6 at jct 33 or 34 and follow the signs for Lancaster city centre. Follow the signs for the A6 north from the city centre and turn left in St George's Quay just before reaching the bus station. Lancaster Maritime Museum is located about half a mile along the quayside.