Car Hire Lancaster

As UK cities go, Lancaster is relatively simple to navigate. The inner-city road system is easy to follow, with the A6 that loops around the centre able to take you south to the university or further north, all the way to Kendal and into the Lake District.

Lancaster is well connected to neighbouring towns via the M6 motorway too. You can reach Manchester in just over an hour by heading south, and get to Carlisle in the opposite direction within around an hour and a half.

Inside the heart of Lancaster, you’ll come across the City Museum, an abundance of splendid shopping spots and the famous Lancaster Castle.

When parking up your hire car to explore these sights on foot, you’ll be able to find a spot within one of the many car parks throughout the city. Charges vary depending on the length of your stay, but you can find a list of Lancaster’s car parks and their prices online, to plan your visit in advance.

If you love the great outdoors, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Lancaster, where some of England’s most breath-taking stretches of countryside are found. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Forest of Bowland is situated east of Lancaster, with many idyllic villages punctuated throughout. 

With a hire car from Lancaster, a road trip to take in the breath-taking views of the Lake District or roam the wilderness of the Yorkshire Dales is also entirely possible.

In the UK, driving is on the left as back home, but speed limits are measured in miles per hour rather than kilometres per hour. Motorways such as the M6 typically have maximum speed limits of 70mph (112km/h), with 60mph (96km/h) common on many single-carriage rural routes, though this can vary.

Within Lancaster and other towns, expect limits of 20mph (32km/h) and 30mph (48km/h) in most places. But always ensure you check the signs for the route that you are on.

A northern gem waiting to be discovered, Lancaster has much to enjoy.

From the impressive Georgian architecture to the nearby north-west coast, there are plenty of delights to find with car hire in Lancaster. Delve into the past within the halls of Lancaster Castle, or get back in touch with nature by exploring the Forest of Bowland.

Discover sinister history

Lancaster Castle is a magnificent fortress that proudly overlooks the city, encapsulating the area’s fascinating yet sometimes bloody past.

Situated next to the priory, the castle dates to the 11^th century, and became notorious as a place of punishment. The scene of many notable trials throughout the centuries, prisoners were both brought to justice and imprisoned here.

The castle is perhaps best known as the setting for the Lancashire Witch Trials, the most notorious in English history. Suspected witches were held in what’s now known as Witches Tower before their sentencing, which provides one of the main draws of the citadel. Book onto one of the guided tours and you’ll have chance to visit the harrowing prison, and learn more about its previous uses.

Paintings and the ancient past

Housed in a striking Georgian building that was once Lancaster’s town hall, Lancaster City museum has been open to the public since 1923.

Today it boasts impressive collections illustrating the history of Lancaster, and the surrounding region.

An absolute gem of a gallery, the various works highlight moments in Lancaster’s timeline as far back as the Roman empire, as well as landscape paintings inspired by the local areas.

Head to the sea

If you can’t decide between a city break or a seaside holiday, enjoy a bit of both when you visit Lancaster. Only around an eight-kilometre drive to Morecambe Bay, Lancaster is an ideal base if you want to spend a day on the sand.

With natural landscapes and awe-inspiring sunsets, Morecambe Bay is a great place to breathe in some fresh sea air, and go adventuring if you so choose. Whether you like sailing or horse riding, this is one of the best locations in the UK to take on these activities.

You can even discover the local wildlife at RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay, home to many types of creatures. From crawling insects to flapping bats, there’s even the potential of seeing some local red deer. There are plenty of car parks in the surrounding area, so you can safely leave your hire car while you enjoy your day.

A city that catches the imagination, there’s plenty of discoveries to be made along the roads of Lancaster and beyond. Book car hire in Lancaster in advance, and you can collect your vehicle and start enjoying your journey as soon as you arrive.