Welcome to 15 Castle Hill, the home of Richard and Ann Thompson.

We join the cottage in the Year 1739, and George II is King of Great Britain and Ireland. Britain has just reopened hostilities with Spain, Dick Turpin the notorious Highwayman has just been hanged, and John Wesley has taken the Methodist message on the road across Britain.

Meanwhile, here in Lancaster, the City is growing rich off the profits from the West India Trade. Many of Lancaster’s wealthy merchants are, in some way, involved in the despicable trading of enslaved African men, women and children. The Thompsons are oblivious to their plight, however. Despite their simple possessions, they are moving up in the world and have bought a house on Castle Hill - a prestigious address.

The Cottage Museum is an immersive and hands-on experience. Wear your 18^th century hat and sit in the old chairs, peep inside coffers, have a go on a spinning whorl and practise your cursive handwriting.

1 - 4pm every Saturday

• The Cottage is open only during the Summer Season, April to September.
• Please check the web pages for our other museums to see their opening days and times, as each museum is different.
• Dogs:  Only assistance dogs are permitted in the museum. This is because even well-behaved dogs are curious, and they sometimes need the loo. We can’t risk it for the sake of our fragile museum objects, which might get knocked over by a very waggy tail, and other visitors who may be nervous around dogs.

Please note the Cottage Museum is CASH ONLY.

None of those new-fangled card machines here, sorry! The nearest cash machine is just down the hill at the top of Church Street.

Standard Tickets (Single visit)

Multipass Tickets

Our weekly and annual passes are ideal for holidays or for regular visitors to the district, providing unlimited entry to all three of our museums:

• Lancaster Maritime Museum
• Lancaster City Museum (including the King’s Own Regimental gallery)
• The Cottage Museum (open Saturdays only, April-September)