Discover the story of Lancaster and Morecambe’s relationship with the ocean, the challenging lives of those living and working in the places between land and sea, and how our inland waterways have shaped our lives, work, and leisure. We uncover the dark legacy that the transatlantic slave trade has left in this proud, historic city and show how the Quay where the museum stands was once a bustling place of trade and commerce from all over the world.
Light up Lancaster 2023 showing the Maritime Museum and the historic quay in all of its splendour (image courtesy of the Wagon & Horses)
Lancaster Maritime Museum occupies two historic buildings on St. George’s Quay, the heart of the city’s 18th-century harbour. The museum was opened in 1985 in the former Custom House, designed in 1764 by Richard Gillow. It also incorporates the upper floor of the neighbouring warehouse, where goods were stored after being shipped into the port from all over the world.
Explore these atmospheric and fascinating buildings and discover the history of the Port of Lancaster. Experience the treacherous crossing of the sands, sit in a packet boat on the Lancaster Canal, listen to local fisherfolk speak of life on and around Morecambe Bay, or discover something new in our programme of changing exhibitions.
Our displays delve into Lancaster’s darker side too, revealing the stories of the 18th century merchant families who built the city’s wealth from the trade in enslaved Africans and slave-produced goods. This aspect of Lancaster's history is of special relevance to our museum, which is housed in the very buildings that formed the heart of the port in that era. You can find more on this topic here: Lancaster and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Opening Times
Monday
12:00 – 16:00
Tuesday
CLOSED
Wednesday
CLOSED
Thursday
CLOSED
Friday
12:00 – 16:00
Saturday
12:00 – 16:00
Sunday
12:00 – 16:00
The Maritime Museum is OPEN as usual for all spring & summer Bank Holidays. Closed Christmas and New Year.
Please check the web pages for our other museums to see their opening days and times, as each museum is different.
Dogs: Only assistance dogs are permitted in the museum. This is because even well-behaved dogs are curious, and they sometimes need the loo. We can’t risk it for the sake of our fragile museum objects, which might get knocked over by a very waggy tail, and other visitors who may be nervous around dogs.
Admission
Standard Tickets (Single Visit)
Lancaster District Residents
FREE
Children (under 18)
FREE – must be accompanied by a responsible adult if under 16.
Carers accompanying a disabled visitor
FREE
1 Adult from outside the Lancaster District
£5
Joint ticket – 2 Adults from outside the Lancaster District
£8
Multipass Tickets
Our weekly and annual passes are ideal for holidays or for regular visitors to the district, providing unlimited entry to all three of our museums:
Our gift shop has had a complete refurbishment, with a whole new range of goods focused on quaility and sustainability. We've got gorgeous gifts made by local craftspeople and artists, books on local and nautical history, and much more!
You can now get drinks and snacks from our self-service counter too. Relax in the new indoor nautical-themed galley seating area, pick a picnic table outside in the boatyard, or simply grab and go with our handy takeaway options - the choice is yours!
Events & Exhibitions
In the Spotlight: a history of black performers in Morecambe. Exhibition open 26 July to 2 November 2025.
From our ever-changing exhibitions to talks, tours, kids' craft sessions and more, you can find details of events and activities at all our museums here:
To avoid congestion in the city centre, consider using Lancaster’s Park and Ride scheme to reach us from the M6.
If you drive to the museum you will usually pass through Lancaster's one-way system. Turn left off the northbound section of the A6 ring road onto Damside Street. Continue for about 400 metres. The Maritime Museum is on the left.
There is free on-street parking for up to 3 hours, and a pay-and-display car park behind the museum for longer visits.
Many of Lancaster's other pay-and-display car parks are also within easy walking distance.
On Foot or by Public Transport
The Maritime Museum is within 10 minutes walk of Lancaster city centre.
Toilets: There are two gender-neutral toilets on the ground floor. One is fully wheelchair-accessible, with a button activated door and emergency cord.
Parking: Free parking for up to 3 hours is available along the roadside and there is a Blue Badge parking space at the front of the museum. There is also a Pay and Display car park behind the museum.
Physical Access: All areas of the museum except for the small mezzanine gallery are fully accessible to all visitors, with lift access to the three main floors. However, fire evacuation for wheelchair users from the upper floors of the museum relies on Evac Chairs and the presence of trained staff. This means that we are only able to provide access for one wheelchair user at a time to each level of the museum above the ground floor. You must also be able to transfer yourself into an Evac Chair in the event of an emergency.
Wheelchair available: ask a member of staff if you'd like to borrow it.
Parking: There is a Blue Badge parking space directly in front of the museum.
Toilets: There are two gender-neutral toilets on the ground floor. One is fully wheelchair-accessible, with a button-activated door and emergency cord.
Sensory backpack: available to borrow for free from the front desk. Ideal for children and young people on the autism spectrum, the backpack includes ear protectors, communication cards, fiddle toys and more.
Touch and See: We are currently developing a new way for those with visual impairments to enjoy our collections. Find out more here: Touch and See.
Access Statement: For an in-depth look at accessibility in the Maritime Museum, download this pdf: Access Statement (PDF, 174KB).
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email the museum for more details before your visit: 01524 382264, lancastermaritimemuseum@lancaster.gov.uk
If you plan to visit us with a group of 12 or more people, please look at our Group Visits page. We offer a range of options from simple self-guided visits to talks, tours and hands-on activities.
If you’d like to bring a school group or other educational group, please look at our Learning page. We offer a range of options from simple self-guided visits to full-day structured sessions.
