Judges' Lodgings Museum
Bringing the stories of Lancaster to life for everyone, through the city's oldest town house
Nestled below Lancaster Castle, the Judges' Lodgings dates back nearly 400 years on a site that has been at the centre of Lancaster's history for nearly 2000 years. The current house was built around 1625 by Thomas Covell, Keeper of the Castle and famous for locking up the Pendle Witches during the infamous Lancashire Witch Trials.
From 1826 the house became a lodgings for the travelling 'Red Judges' of the Assizes Courts. Dressed in their scarlet robes, the Judges decided the fate of murderers, forgers and highwaymen at Lancaster Castle.
Today the house is home to beautiful Georgian furniture by Gillows of Lancaster, elegant period rooms and the popular Museum of Childhood.
What's on: events and exhibitions
Search for the latest events at Judges' Lodgings. If there are no current events listed check back for new events soon. We look forward to seeing you.
Plan your visit
Opening Times
Thursday 2 April 2026 to Sunday 15 November 2026
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday |
11:00am to 04:00pm |
| Friday |
11:00am to 04:00pm |
| Saturday |
11:00am to 04:00pm |
| Sunday |
11:00am to 04:00pm |
Things to see and do
Today the Judges' Lodgings is home to the finest collection of Gillows furniture on public display in the world. Contemporaries of Chippendale, Gillows Cabinet Makers made beautiful functional furniture for the aspiring middle classes, gentry and 'half the aristocracy in England' in the 1700s and 1800s. You can find out more in the period rooms and the Gillows Gallery at Judges' Lodgings.
Here's what some of our visitors had to say:
"The Judges’ Lodgings is THE place to visit in Lancaster. The building is a beautiful Georgian townhouse with an interesting history set in an old area of cobbled streets near castle and the priory church."
"Why oh why have we not visited the Judges’ Lodgings before? Excellently presented throughout and is a must visit whether you are local or from out of town."
"This is a great place to go. My children aged 9 and 11 really enjoyed it. We were offered activity worksheets on arrival which really got them interested. Really friendly staff, and very cheap. Well worth a visit."
At Judges' Lodgings you can…
Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Covell, famous for locking up the Witches in their underground dungeon during the Lancashire Witch Trials.
Find the hidden place where the Judges went to the toilet and see it's actually rather grand.
Discover the largest collection of Gillows furniture on display in the world.
Step inside the Victorian Schoolroom and find the kinds of toys your grandparents played with.
The museum welcomes families so get your little ones hands on cleaning in the Victorian kitchen or try out life in our Victorian schoolroom. You could always try the children’s trail or the free weekend drop in, subject to the latest coronavirus restrictions. Please check before you travel.
Most visitors spend 1-2 hours in the museum, though some stay much longer for activities or playing in the Museum of Childhood.
Indulge in a trip down memory lane with our enchanting Museum of Childhood on the top floor of the Judges' Lodgings. The collection covers 200 years of childhood treasures from wax dolls to He-Man figures and includes the Barry Elder Toy and Doll Collection. The museum includes a Victorian School Room, Day and Night Nurseries. Spend time to enjoy the Victorian School Room, Doll Galleries, Victorian Play Room, Day and Night Nurseries.
Baby changing facilities.
Buggy park available on the ground floor. The museum welcomes breastfeeding mums and a Breastfeeding Room is available on top floor.
Assistance dogs are welcome and a dog bowl is available by the front door for canine friends.
Walled courtyard picnic area* and garden, providing a little oasis of green in the heart of the city.
Gift shop.
You are welcome to access the ground floor of the museum up a single step through the side entrance, which is up a short steep hill.
*Please note, the picnic area may not always be available.
Access
The museum is housed in a 17th century house with no lift and unfortunately access is limited. Visitors in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility are welcome to access the ground floor of the museum through the side entrance which is up a short steep hill and a step into the building.
There is no parking onsite but you access to the site down Castle Hill. Large print information is available on request.
See the access statement (PDF 1.7MB) for more detail or please ring the museum team if you have any questions.
Contact us
Phone: 01524 581241
If you've visited us recently, don't forget to leave us a TripAdvisor review.
Discover more of Lancashire's diverse history and visit one of our other Lancashire Museums. Which of our museums will you visit next?
If you've visited us, what was your favourite thing you learnt about Judges' Lodgings? Let us know by sharing your experiences on Twitter using #JudgesLodgings and don't forget to tag in @LancsMuseums on X and @LancsMuseums on Facebook.
Why not join the Friends of Lancaster Judges’ Lodgings and help to promote and support the oldest town house in Lancaster.
Museum loan boxes
Our museum loan boxes contain a wide range of historical artefacts, replica objects and useful resources. Loan boxes are a great way of bringing a little bit of the museum into your classroom.
Volunteer with us
We have some fantastic volunteering opportunities at Judges' Lodgings. Our wonderful volunteers create a warm, friendly and welcoming environment to our visitors and provide them with the knowledge and information about this historic site during their visit.
You don’t need any previous experience or qualifications to volunteer, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Our current volunteer Penny shares her experience of what it's like to take on this interesting role.
"Talking to our lovely visitors made me realise that people make a place; that buildings and histories would not exist unless we had people to tell them too to continue their life story."
Schools
Heritage Learning Lancashire's aim is to give pupils the opportunity to explore and appreciate Lancashire's rich heritage through access to our unique collections and stimulating sites.
Find out about school visits to the Judges' Lodgings.
Check for Special events weeks.
Find out more about Learning with Lancashire Museums.
"The students love using the items we loan from you and it adds real value to the teaching of history."
Primary school teacher
Learning sessions
Explore the history of the Lancashire Witch trials. Pupils will step into the world of 1612 as they hear the tale of the encounter that took place on the road to Colne. Pupils will explore folklore, superstition and early folk medicine through objects and role play, exploring how people in the past made sense of illness and misfortune.
Finally, the whole group will come together for a mock witch trial, experiencing the roles of witnesses, jurors and the accused. Through this interactive exploration of 17th‑century justice, pupils grapple with the big question: Did the Lancashire witches receive a fair trial?
All set in the magnificent Judges' Lodgings,once the home of Thomas Covell, Gaoler and Keeper of Lancaster Castle.
Half day session*
Suitable for Upper KS2
Curriculum Links: History / Local Study / PHSE
*Could be paired with one of the sessions at Lancaster Castle to make a full day
At Play. Experience the positive power of play as you engage in an interactive look at toys and games of the rich and poor in Victorian England.
At work upstairs. Pupils will investigate and experience life as a servant in a hands-on visit to the upstairs rooms in the Judges' Lodging. Role play and object handling combine to bring this session to life.
At work downstairs. Pupils will investigate and experience life as a servant in a hands-on visit to the kitchen and below stairs. Role play and object handling combine to bring this session to life.
At school. Meet our Victorian Schoolteacher and find out just how different school was over 100 years ago. Our very interactive school session looks at discipline, the school day, acceptable behaviour and learning by rote.
Full day session for Reception KS1 and KS2.
Step into the shoes of a Museum Curator in this lively and engaging session. Pupils will explore how toys are cared for and preserved, gaining insight into the responsibilities of a curator.
Using our chronologically arranged Toy Gallery, they’ll investigate how toys have evolved over time by identifying key changes and placing them on a historical timeline. The session also invites pupils to uncover toys and games from living memory, discovering the cherished playthings their parents and grandparents once loved.
At play. Experience the positive power of play as you engage in an interactive look at toys and games of the rich and poor in Victorian England.
Half-day session for Reception KS1 and KS2.
Heritage learning cost
Half day (10am – 12noon) £3 Lancashire County Council (LCC) pupil; £4 Academy / Non-LCC pupil
Full day (10am – approx. 2.30pm) £6 LCC pupil; £8 Academy / Non LCC pupil
Special Event Week (half day only) £4 LCC pupil; £4.50 Academy / Non-LCC pupil
Accompanying adults free
Facilities
Lunch facilities
Coach drop off
Limited accessibility
Toilets