Lancaster - Castle, Quay & Priory

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Lancaster Castle, the Quay and Priory, with Explorers helping Mrs Jackie Sparrow after she accidentally releases the ghost of Captain Spook and his pirate crew, solving clues around historic Lancaster to find Sparrow's treasure before they do.

The quest covers 1.9 miles and should take around 2.0 hours to complete. You'll start in Market Square in front of the City Museum, explore pedestrianised streets, pavements and paths around the city centre, Lancaster Castle and St George's Quay, then return to Market Square and finish back at the start point.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. There are some steep hills on this Trail - it does visit a medieval castle after all! - but there are some wonderful views to the Lake District mountains that make them worthwhile. There are also steps, cobbled sections and a number of flights of steps along the way.

Take care not to step into the road, and cross roads only when it is safe to do so. The route also crosses a river bridge, where more than five people walking on the bridge in the same direction may alert the ghosts, so keep your crew together and your pirate-hunting subtle.

If the flood defence gate is locked, follow the pavement on the other side of the road. There is also an optional detour to the Roman Bath House if your Explorers want to add a little extra history to the hunt.

Getting There

By car: Begin your treasure hunt at Market Square in front of the City Museum (LA1 1HT). For parking, use Bulk Street car park (LA1 1PU), on the east side of the one way system, or High Street car park (LA1 1LA), on the west side of the one way system.

By public transport: Make your way to Market Square in front of the City Museum to begin the quest. The circular route returns to Market Square once Sparrow's treasure has been tracked down.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available in Marketgate shopping centre near Clue 03, making this a handy early comfort stop before the hunt heads deeper into historic Lancaster.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome on this dog friendly Trail 🐾

The route includes steep hills, steps, cobbled sections, roads and a river bridge, so keep canine companions close around traffic, drops and busier areas. If you choose to visit Lancaster Castle while you are there, dogs are not allowed inside.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure hunting around ghostly pirates is thirsty work. There are plenty of cafes and bars and chances to stock up on snacks in the streets between Clues 01 and 07 and Clues 18 and 19.

There is also a cafe in Lancaster Castle at Clue 09, and the route passes the Three Mariners pub, so your crew should have good opportunities to refuel before Captain Spook gets too far ahead.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Lancaster Castle

The castle is the big historic prize on this route, with a history going back almost 1,000 years. Expect tales of royalty, trials, dungeons, death, treason and witchcraft. It was a prison until 2011 and is owned by the Duke of Lancaster - the King! There are guided tours if you want to explore more, plus a cafe if your treasure-hunting crew needs a rest.

Lancaster Priory

Lancaster Priory is described as well worth a visit, and it comes with a suitably mysterious legend. The story goes that a secret tunnel could provide an escape route from the Priory in an emergency, leading either into Lancaster Castle or to the banks of the River Lune.

St Georges Quay

Built in 1750 during Lancaster's Golden Age as a port, St Georges Quay was once used for exporting furniture and importing cotton, rum, sugar and mahogany from North America and the West Indies. It is also part of Lancaster's darker maritime history: Lancaster's slave ships made 100 voyages to the African coast and carried over 29,000 slaves.

Maritime Museum

If you have time, the Maritime Museum is well worth a visit in the Customs House. Exhibits include local fishing vessels, ship models, merchants and trade, the Lancaster Canal, the Bay fishing industry and the development of local ports such as Glasson Dock. There is a small charge for non-residents.

Judges' Lodgings

The route also points out the Judges' Lodgings. Between 1826 and 1975 this building housed judges visiting the Courts at Lancaster Castle. Lancaster had the nickname of the "Hanging Town" since it sentenced more people to be hanged than any town outside of London.