Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Lancaster..what's it like?

214 replies

shadypines · 30/03/2020 13:34

I realise I can't go for a while so in the meantime what do other MNetters think of this city? Is it pleasant to the eye, relatively clean, many galleries, museums? Thanks for any info.

OP posts:
Original poster
shadypines · 30/03/2020 19:04

Anyone?

OP posts:
BovaryX · 30/03/2020 19:11

The castle is pretty, the area down by the River Lune has been recently developed. Two single sex Grammar schools, the boys' has an excellent academic record. It rains constantly, the university, which is probably the main employer, is located out of town. The surrounding countryside is beautiful, in a bleak kind of way. Pendle witches.

ProfessorHasturLaVista · 30/03/2020 19:16

Nice for a short visit, especially if there was something on at The Dukes Theatre you wanted to see. Plenty of little cafes etc. Once you’ve done the Castle, Priory and Museum there isn’t much else to see.
I have friends who live there and they like it as a permanent base.

lazylinguist · 30/03/2020 19:16

I live 25 mins drive from Lancaster and go there to shop occasionally. It's pleasant enough, some pretty bits and nice buildings but a bit dull. Doesn't really feel like a city, more like a town. Doesn't feel like there's much going on, considering it's an ancient university city.

BovaryX · 30/03/2020 19:16

It's the sort of place where as a teen you pin a tube map above your bed and long to escape.

Original poster
shadypines · 30/03/2020 19:17

Thank you all, I'm getting a feel for the place, 'more like a town' sounds good tbh.

OP posts:
BovaryX · 30/03/2020 19:20

there's much going on, considering it's an ancient university city

The university was built in the 1960s....

BovaryX · 30/03/2020 19:22

Shady

It's years since I have been there, but I reckon you need to check it out before relocating. The rain is relentless....

RandomMess · 30/03/2020 19:40

It's definitely more of a town and hilly.

There is art and culture if you want it. Preston and Kendal pretty close and of course Manchester only about an hour away but the trains don't run late into the night if you've been to a concert or similar 🙄

BovaryX · 30/03/2020 19:42

Preston and Kendal pretty close

Is the proximity of Preston a positive?

WestWasnt · 30/03/2020 19:45

Is the proximity of Preston a positive?

Definitely not!

BovaryX · 30/03/2020 19:46
Grin
Mydogatemypurse · 30/03/2020 19:46

Absolutely beautiful and so close to the lakes for great days out. Lovely little cafes and shops and canal. X

user1497207191 · 30/03/2020 19:50

I've lived 5 miles away all my life. It's OK I suppose, nothing special, definitely more of a town than a city. Pretty typical small town centre with a few chain shops and an assortment of pubs, cafes, restaurants, etc. Not much in the way of big employment other than the infirmary and universities. 2 excellent single sex grammar schools. Without the Unis, it'd be just another run down northern town - the uni gives it a bit of life and culture. Little in the way of decent shopping - nearest decent retail park is Bolton and then nearest decent shopping centre is Trafford Park. At least it has a main line railway station, so good for west coast main line to London/Glasgow and direct slower trains to Manchester and Leeds.

BikeRunSki · 30/03/2020 19:51

Bit of a hippy vibe, or it may have just been the people I hung out with.

RandomMess · 30/03/2020 19:51

😂😂

Personally loathe and was thrilled to discover Chorley rail station is as quick to get to as Preston for late night pick ups!!!

Duchessofblandings · 30/03/2020 19:52

Lovely place, really nice cosmopolitan feel because of the University. Goid independent book and other shops and beautiful far countryside views in most directions.

Theholidayarmadillo4 · 30/03/2020 19:57

2 theatres. Few little museums. Lots of independent cafes 😁 in fact that's the main vibe. 2 good grammar schools as mentioned and 1 v strong performing C of E secondary school. Close to the lakes and the trough... Rains all the time.

RandomMess · 30/03/2020 20:02

I really don't think it does rain all the time, we have stunning sunsets most days 🤷🏽‍♀️

CoronaIsComing · 30/03/2020 20:03

It’s not great. It’s mainly a university town and it’s definitely more town than city. The city centre is grim and practically empty, we don’t really have any of the standard chain restaurants or shops. There’s not much in the way of museums or galleries but the castle is nice and is back open properly now I think (or was pre corona virus). Employment is lacking unless you work at the universities, power stations or you’re a carer. Williamson’s Park is nice but there’s nothing at all for older children to do. You can get to the Lakes easy enough. We’d love to move but DS has just secured a place at the aforementioned Grammar School for September so we’re here til he’s 18!

CoronaIsComing · 30/03/2020 20:04

It really does rain all the time...

WestWasnt · 30/03/2020 20:06

It certainly doesn’t rain as much as Kendal!

BovaryX · 30/03/2020 20:06

I really don't think it does rain all the time

Grin
thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 30/03/2020 20:12

It's pretty enough but not much going on. Best thing about it is easy access to the Lake District.

BovaryX · 30/03/2020 20:12

The rain was relentless. Unless global warming has hit the North West and turned the Trough of Bowland into a desert.....