Group travel in Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
Easily accessible from north and south via the M6, with many attractions offering special offers, and convenient drop-off and parking places for coaches, Lancaster and Morecambe Bay is the perfect destination for a group visit.
The city of Lancaster offers a journey through the history of the north-west, its castle and museums exploring the lives of those who left their legacies upon the landscape – come and find out about the Romans, the Normans and the Vikings, or explore the area’s diverse industries – from imports to entertainment.
Or you can enjoy a day browsing the bustling shops and markets, either in Lancaster or in Morecambe, a traditional seaside town boasting five miles of promenade with stunning views across the sea to the Lakeland Fells beyond.
To find out more about what’s on offer for groups in Lancaster and Morecambe Bay, browse the listings below and suggested itineraries.
A little further afield, you can visit the charming villages of Heysham or Silverdale, or the historic market town of Carnforth, perhaps stopping off at Leighton Hall, a historic house offering fascinating tours, or Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve.
With a year-round programme of events taking place throughout the district, you’ll be delighted with the evening entertainment available which includes The Dukes’ annual Play in the Park - a fantastic large-scale walkabout performance.
For something a bit different: you can also opt for a private themed walking tour with an experienced guide who will bring to life the district’s history and legends!
Convenient Drop-Off Points
Lancaster: Drop-off points in Lancaster for coaches include Dalton Square (LA1 1PL), which is within easy walking distance of the city centre, with coach parking available nearby in Upper St Leonardgate car park (LA1 1QH).
Morecambe: Drop-off points in Morecambe include stops on Central Drive near the Festival Market and the central bus station (LA4 4DW), with coach parking available in Central Drive Retail Park (LA4 4EQ).
Group Travel to Lancaster Castle
Public guided tours run regularly during opening hours
Prebooked private group tours (for outside of school holidays) are also available daytime and early evenings. We require at least 4 weeks' notice for private tour bookings.
Private group tour rates are available on request
There is a minimum payment for private tours bookings, equivalent to 20 admissions at the group rate (please see prices below)
Max private tour size 49
Multiple tours available for bigger groups
Time: Tours take 60-75 minutes
Availability: Open 7 days a week (except over the Christmas/New Year period) from 9:30am to 5pm
The last public tour of the day normally starts at 3:45pm
Prices:
For pre-booked private groups during normal working hours: £7 per head.
For pre-booked private groups outside of normal working hours: £9 (age 18+), £7 (age 5-17).
For pre-booked school groups with children aged up to 16: £4 per pupil
For further details and group bookings
The Judges' Lodgings Museum, Lancaster
Guided tours or unfacilitated visits possible
Introductory talks available on request
Time: Tours approx 45 minutes - 1 hour and can also be focused on Dark history, Servants or Victorian Hazards
Availability: Open to the public April - November (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and every Friday during the winter season (December-March) but tour groups can be accommodated throughout the year.
Tours are £8 per person including entry, tour and guide book or £5 per person for unfacilitated visit. Tea/coffee is available if pre-booked in advance (£2 per person).
For further details and group bookings
www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/judges-lodgings
Lancaster Priory
Standard Tour cost for 10 people: £30
Guided Tour for 10 with coffee/tea/cake: £80
Guided Tour for 10 with homemade soup and rolls: £80
Guided Tour for 10 with coffee/tea and scones with clotted cream & jam: £105
Saturday Morning Coffee Concert with coffee/tea/cake for 10: £50
Time: Standard tour lasts 45 - 60 minutes
Availability: Tours can generally be booked Monday - Saturday between 10am-4pm
Donations to the work and mission of Lancaster Priory welcome
For further details and group bookings
Lancaster Priory, Priory Close, Lancaster, LA1 1YZ
Lancaster Walks, Talks & Tours
Cost for up to 25 people: From £200
Time: Standard tours last 90 - 120 minutes
Availability: Please contact to discuss
Extra info: Special tour programmes can be arranged to meet the requirements of individual groups, including attraction entry, refreshment breaks, dining stops and post tour quizzes
Additional tours: Guided walks can also be undertaken across the district in Morecambe, Heysham and Glasson. Explorations of other parts of Lancashire such as Preston, Garstang, Blackpool and Lytham are also available
Coaches: A service can be provided for coach operators requiring the knowledge of a local guide to undertake commentaries whilst touring in the area, including the picturesque villages of the Lune & Ribble Valleys.
For further details and group bookings
https://lancasterwalkstalkstours.weebly.com
https://britainsbestguides.org/guides/gregory-wright/
Gregory Wright, Lancaster Walks, Talks and Tours
Lancaster Georgian and Regency Tour
Cost for 20 people: £140
Extra costs her head: £10 for adults, £9 for concessions (students and over 60s)
Private tours for smaller groups of 1-5 people begin from £50
Time: Standard tour lasts 90 minutes, but can be adapted according to schedule and level of interest
Availability: Please contact info@livehistory.co.uk to discuss
For further details and group bookings
Thomas Hudson, Live History
Lancaster Maritime Museum
Self Guided Tour: Admission and self-guided visit around the museum, £4 per person
Enhanced Tour: 45 minute guided tour conducted by a member of the museum team. Tea or coffee with biscuits in our ‘Below Decks’ meeting space. £7 per person.
P.O.S.H: 30 minute talk by a member of our team on Lancaster’s History followed by a 45 minute guided tour. Tea or coffee, fresh juice and a selection of traybakes in our ‘Below Decks’ meeting space. £15 per person.
Coaches: Coaches can park in Upper St Leonardsgate coach park, costing £3.50 per 24 hours. Drivers receive free tea, coffee and cake.
Tea Room: The museum kindly asks that groups book ahead for the tea room.
Accessibility: All areas (except the Mezzanine level) are physically accessible to visitors, with lift access available to the exhibition galleries.
Availability: To find out if your group can be accommodated on your chosen day (or to ask about out of hours visits), contact the museum directly. All group bookings must be made at least two weeks prior to the date of your visit.
For further details and group bookings
Lancaster City Museum
We offer a discounted rate of £4 per person for group visits of 12 or more people when booked in advance.
We can offer a range of activities to enhance your visit, including:
Talks & Tours: our team can offer museum tours and talks on various subjects.
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.
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.
For further details and group bookings
Please contact us by email with your group size and requested dates: lancastercitymuseum@lancaster.gov.uk.
Lancaster Charter Market and Assembly Rooms
Lancaster Charter Market: Open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9am - 4pm
Assembly Rooms Emporium (Lancaster): Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5:30pm.
For further details
www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/markets
01524 582504 or 01524 414251
Morecambe Festival Market
With 70 stalls, 15 shops and two different cafes with multiple takeaway food outlets we provide traditional Market shopping with a true “hustle and bustle” atmosphere with seating areas to rest and eat.
Festival Market (Morecambe): Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 4:30pm (October to March) and 9am - 5pm (April to September) and all Bank Holidays from Easter to August.
Coaches (Festival Market):
Passengers can be dropped off at the market or the drop off point on Central Drive, and there is a coach park nearby at Central Drive Retail Park.
Coach drivers receive a £5 voucher to spend at the market each visit, increasing to £10 on the fourth visit.
For further details
www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/markets
01524 582504 or 01524 414251
Lancaster Grand Theatre
Private guided tours of Lancaster Grand Theatre are available on request.
What to expect:
For those wishing to explore the theatre in greater depth, Lancaster Grand Theatre offers guided tours, led by our knowledgeable volunteer tour guides.
These tours uncover the fascinating story of the theatre from its origins in 1782 to its present-day role as a vibrant cultural hub. Visitors will enjoy both front-of-house and backstage access, including the ornate auditorium and the hidden, working world behind the scenes.
Highlights include standing on the stage to experience the view from a performer’s perspective, learning about the many people who have shaped the Grand over the centuries, and hearing stories of the notable performers who have appeared here. And if you’re lucky… you may even encounter the theatre’s resident ghost!
Group size: Maximum of 20 people
Cost: £50 per group
Duration: 45 minutes to 2 hours
Availability: Tours are subject to availability due to the theatre’s operational schedule and live performance programme.
For further details and group bookings
The Dukes
The Play in the Park - running evenings July - August
Group discounts: 10 person minimum. Tickets around £18 per person
For further details and group bookings
Leighton Hall
Inside Leighton Hall Tour: £11 per person (minimum group size of 20) - includes tour of house, access to gardens and birds of prey show
Tea and Leighton Hall Tour: £26.50 per person (minimum group size of 20) - includes tour of house, access to gardens, birds of prey show, plus a delicious afternoon tea
Additional menu items available in tearooms (e.g. cakes and hot drinks from £2.95, homemade soup and a roll £8, quiche and salad £12.50, sandwiches from £5.25)
Tours have no maximum number of people, but please contact Leighton Hall if more than one coach is planned
Birds of prey are only flown on open days in the summer season (May - September) and are weather permitting.
Dual Day Out Packages: include visits to Leighton Hall and other local attractions, a full prepared itinerary, meals and refreshments.
For further details and group bookings
Leighton Moss
Entry Rates
Non-member adult: £10
Child (5-15yrs): £5, first child & under 5s free
Student with valid NUS card: £7
16-24 year olds with valid ID: free, unless part of an organised group.
Carer, up to 2 per visitor: Free
Half Price entry for those arriving by public transport/bicycle
Group Rates
For any group please contact the reserve to discuss requirements including self-led, or wanting a Welcome Talk, Guided Walk, Reserve Presentation
Café – groups of 10 or more please let us know in advance that you are visiting.
Parking
There is no coach parking on site, drop-off and pick up only.
Further details and group bookings
Please email: leighton.moss@rspb.org.uk
Bowland and Bay Food Tours
Start your artisan foodie adventure today! Each adventure is unique and includes a wide range of artisan tasting experiences. For example a full day Bowland & Bay Food Tour is likely to include:
Fresh bakes, award winning country inns, Lancashire cheese tasting, farm made ice cream, gin experiences at the distillery, beer flights and more!
Bowland and Bay’s Driver Guided tours are available all year round for 1-8 guests.
For 9-49 guests, our Step on Guides can join your vehicle and create bespoke food & drink events.
Including a wide range of dietary options and accessibility needs.
Tours start from £100 per person for an afternoon. Contact award winning guide Katie, to discuss bespoke pricing for events from 2 hours to 2 days.
For further details and group bookings
Contact hello@bowlandandbay.co.uk to find out more!
Nature's Gems Tours
NaturesGems offers you a nature walk with a difference, led by an experienced local guide with small groups to ensure you have a high quality experience and a fun packed day with plenty of opportunity to stop and soak up the spirit of the place.
Bespoke tours can be arranged for groups of up to 12 people.
Find out more at www.naturesgemtours.co.uk
For further details and group bookings
Contact naturesgemtours@gmail.com to find out more or visit Wildlife Tours | NaturesGems
Carnforth Heritage Visitor Centre
Guided Tours available on request. Time: 45 - 60 minutes.
Introductory talks available on request.
The home of "Brief Encounter", exhibitions covering film Director David Lean, Carnforth's railway, social and industrial past, plus The Age of Steam. Brief Encounter film shown continuously runs approx 85 mins.
Pre-booked Coach Groups welcome.
Open March to mid-December 10am - 4pm Daily.
Admission: Adults £2.50, u16s FREE, Groups (20+) £2 per person.
Special events on selected weekends - event admission fees may apply.
Refreshment Room open 9am-4pm Daily. (01524 923282)
For further details and group bookings
www.carnforthheritage.co.uk
info@carnforthheritage.co.uk
01524 735165
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