Events & Activities
Our events programme has something for everyone.
Discover family fun during the school holidays with our children's activities, or try out our museum trails all year round. Join our Museum Friends groups or the local Marine Conservation Society for their regular talks, book your place on one of our expertly guided walks to explore the city's history, or check out our other activities, suitable for all ages.
And if nothing here catches your eye right now, why not follow us on Facebook or Instagram for all the latest updates?
Story Tours at the City Museum
Saturday 30 November
Hear about different people from Lancaster's history as you walk the galleries with our team; from Roman warrior Insus to the formidable local landlady Jane Noon. Each tour lasts approximately one hour. Ideal for inquisitive minds aged 10 to 110.
Tour Times:
- 10:30am
- 11:00am
- 11:30am
- 12:00pm
- 1:30pm
- 2:00pm
Prices & Bookings
- Adults: £3 - click here to book online
- Under 18s: £2 - click here to book online
We recommend booking in advance to guarantee your place. Follow the links above to book online, or drop into Lancaster City Museum in person and ask at the front desk.
Regular events
- King's Own Show & Tell: in these interactive sessions, our military history expert Owen demonstrates the equipment used by the King's Own Royal Regiment at different times in its history. Learn about military life on campaign or on the home front, ask all the questions you like, and even try on a uniform. Suitable for all ages.
- Fossil Handling: Get up close and personal with some real fossils and learn all about them from our expert staff. Some of our fossils are up to 350 million years old. Suitable for all ages.
We run these activities at Lancaster City Museum several times a year. We'll update this page whenever public sessions are scheduled.
These events can also be arranged on request for groups of 12 or more. Email us at lancastercitymuseum@lancaster.gov.uk if you're interested in making a booking for a group.
Maritime Monty and Mabel the Museum Mouse say Hello!
- We've signed the Kids in Museums Manifesto and we always include interactive elements for children in our new exhibitions.
- Children's trails are available to enhance your visit at both the City Museum and the Maritime Museum.
- Both these museums also have sensory backpacks for children and young people on the autism spectrum to borrow. Just ask at the front desk if you'd like to use one of these during your visit - it's free!
- During the school holidays we run regular children's activity and craft sessions.
- For older children and teens, check out our General Activities section too.
- For schools or other children's groups, please see our Learning page.
- Please note that for safety reasons, children up to the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult in all of our museums.
Marine Conservation Society
Join us at Lancaster Maritime Museum on the second Wednesday of every month for fascinating talks from the Marine Conservation Society. Everyone is welcome and there’s no need to book, just drop in.
- A £4 cash donation is requested from non-members.
- All talks begin at 7:30pm.
Upcoming Talks
Weds 11th December: Christmas Quiz by Lewis Bambury (Lancashire MCS).
Check back here for updates on future talks, or visit the MCS Lancashire Facebook Page.
Friends of Lancaster City Museum
Join us at Lancaster City Museum for regular lunchtime lectures organised by the Friends of Lancaster City Museum. Everyone is welcome and there’s no need to book, just drop in.
- £2 charge for non-members.
- All talks are held at 1pm in the City Museum’s education room. The entrance is on New Street at the back of the museum. (If you can’t find it, just ask at the front desk.)
Next talk
Saturday 30th November: The Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway. This fantastic paper on the history of our local railway will be presented by the author, Dr Andrew White.
Following the 1pm talk we welcome you to the AGM at 2pm, where a committee for the Friends will be appointed for the next year. Some roles will be vacant, so if you are interested in becoming Secretary or Membership Secretary, please email folcm@outlook.com to find out more.
Check back here soon or visit the Friends of Lancaster City Museum Facebook page for updates on future talks.
Friends of Lancaster Maritime Museum
Visit Lancaster Maritime Museum for weekend talks organised by the Friends of Lancaster Maritime Museum. Everyone is welcome and there’s no need to book, just drop in.
- £3 charge for non-members.
- Talks begin at 2pm in the Maritime Museum's Education Room - use the main museum entrance and ask for directions at the front desk.
Next Talk
Coming Soon - Check back here or visit the Friends of Lancaster Maritime Museum Facebook page for updates on future talks.
Transatlantic Slave Trade Walking Tour
Lancaster Maritime Museum invites you to join a guided walking tour of the historic city of Lancaster. Led by expert guides Eleanor Levin or Prof. Alan Rice, the fascinating narrative reveals the legacy of the city's involvement with the 18th century transatlantic slave trade.
£15 per person. Your ticket includes:
- Two hour guided walking tour of Lancaster.
- Admission to the Maritime Museum
- Introduction to our transatlantic slave trade galleries.
- Refreshments
Please note that dogs are welcome on the outdoor walking tour, but they are not permitted inside the museum for the gallery introduction or refreshments. (Except assistance dogs.)
Public Tour Dates
We will update this page when our next public tour is scheduled.
Private Group Tours
If you have a group of 12 or more people, the transatlantic slave trade walking tour can be arranged on a day to suit you. For more information email historydetectives@lancaster.gov.uk
Other Tours
Coming Soon - We are hoping to make walking tours on other topics available in the future. Watch this space for details!
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