Day 24 Saturday May 3

 Decided to head into Lancaster this morning. What a great little town! Went first to Williamson Park. It’s set high overlooking the city of Lancaster, 54 acres of historic parkland and woodland. At the centre is Ashton Memorial, one of the most amazing memorials I’ve ever seen! Built by Lord Ashton as a memorial to his family and presented to the inhabitants of Lancaster 1907 AD.

Ornamental Lake

The front of Ashton Me oriel

The staircase to the top!

The ceiling in the memorial

Ashton Memorial

On into the town. Parked near the Lancaster Prison - what a place! Her Majesty the Queen (she was the Duke of Lancaster!) came to visit in 2015 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Lancaster Inheritence .

The origins of the castle date back almost 1,000 years. It was a working prison until decommissioned in 2011. It was built on the site of 3 successive Roman forts and is owned by the British Monarch as part of the Duchy of Lancaster. 

HMP Lancaster

Went for a walk in to town centre, markets were on in the square. There was also a protest march by the Lancaster Trades Council. Someone was carrying a sign that said Free Palestine and also to do with refugees.

Lancaster street

Streets of Lancaster 

John O’Gaunt - He was the Duke of Lancaster

Mall at Lancaster 

Young fellow with sign

Protest marchers

Statue of Queen Victoria in park where protesters started

Marching down the street

In park getting ready

Stopped at the Penny Hospital. Penny Hospital Almhouses were built under the will of William Penny in 1720. It was for 12 poor men within the town of Lancaster. The building still houses accommodation for old people. 

Sign detailing a Bassett who spent 25 years devoted service in the work of the Lancaster charities.

The front of the hospital 

Us inside, it is a cute little place with great accommodation for elderly right in the heart of the city

Without us in front of it!

Back up to the castle and the Lancaster Priory. It was a Benedictine Priory 900 years ago, in 1094!  We also saw some Roman Baths just down from here. Hard to read the sign as some bloody vandals had scribbled all over the board. Think they were from around 300 AD! 

The Priory

Inside the Priory

More inside

Memorial to William Penny

More inside

The organ pipes

The Roman Baths

On to Heysham, a little historical village about 6 miles from Morecombe. Just gorgeous. St Peter’s Chapel on the headland had a wedding happening so couldn’t go in but just up a bit further was the ruins of St Patrick’s Chapel. It was built in the 8th century. St Peter’s was consecrated in 967 AD. It was a truly amazing place to visit.

St Patrick’s Chapel ruins

And again

And again

St Peter’s Chapel, with the bride out front

Ancient gravestones

Up to the ruins

These are graves in the grounds of St Patrick’s ruins

View of ruins

Ruins

View through arch in ruins

More ruins

In St Peter’s Chapel grounds, it is believed this dates back to Saxon times

St Peter’s Chapel

Bride again

Had dinner and then a walk down along the foreshore at Morecombe. Photo taken with the Eric Morecombe who grew up here. Not sure if he was born here but they claim him. 

Eric Morecombe statue

Gary playing hopscotch 

Seafront at Morecombe

Town Hall

Fantastic old second hand bookshop

Gary and me with our mate Eric!

The Tide Bell, it is a captivating art installation that harmonises with the ebb and flow of the tides. It’s designed to draw our attention to the threat of climate change. As the tides rise, the bells ring more to alert people.

Seafront sculpture

Clock Tower

Us at the hopscotch on the pier

The seafront

The hopscotch, we had fun playing it!

More seafront

More seafront

Really enjoyed Morecombe but it is a bit run down and tired looking (pot calling the kettle black!) 😉 filled with people! Nearly every bar you walked passed, there was stacks of people in them. It is obviously a place that gets packed in summer!