Lancaster
Lancaster is a historic old city in Lancashire, in the North West of England. It was the county town for centuries until the modern rise of Preston.
There was a Roman camp here.
At the mouth of the River Lune, the city developed into an important port from the late 17th century, particularly importing tobacco, rum, sugar and mahogany from the Caribbean.
There is now an attractive quarter of the city along the bank of the Lune, with a number of buildings that were connected with this trade.
The city also has a fine tradition of furniture making, notably by Gillows.
Lancaster Castle dominates the city with its enormous square keep. It dates back to about 1200 and was strengthened by John of Gaunt in the late 14th century.
Lancaster Priory is an impressive church close to the castle. It dates mainly from the 15th century, and grew out of the Benedictine priory founded in 1094.
The old Town Hall in the Market Place now houses a museum.
Lancaster Cathedral (Catholic) is an attractive place of worship that was completed in 1859.
On the outskirts of the city is Williamson Park, dominated by the extraordinary Ashton Memorial.
Laurence Binyon, who wrote the poem "For the Fallen" ("they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old") was born in Lancaster, as was Richard Owen, who coined the term "dinosaur".