Storey Discovery Trail

Below Lancaster Castle, you will find The Storey and its delightful gardens. The building, formerly The Storey Institute, provided education in science and the arts, replacing an earlier Mechanics’ Institute on the site. It was built in 1888 and financed by Sir Thomas Storey, a major local employer who used innovative techniques to manufacture colourful oilcloth. The Storey is now a centre for the creative industries. The gardens originally belonged to a Georgian house in Castle Park, built in 1720, and became linked to the building in the 1950s. The Storey and gardens are owned by Lancaster City Council. The Friends of the Storey Gardens volunteers maintain the gardens and are working with the council to enhance this interesting and beautiful space for the community.

In The Storey you can see the magnificent stained glass window produced by the Shrigley & Hunt workshops at 23 Castle Hill. It has medallions with symbolic figures of arts and science disciplines with the names of distinguished people below (see photographs 3 & 4). Download or pick up a walking route around The Storey locality, highlighting nearby buildings with connections to The Storey. Click the link to follow the online route map with information points and associated photographs. View displays of new textile designs linked to the building and gardens, marking 200 years of continuous technical education in the local area. In the gardens enjoy the flowers, see the fruit sculptures and taste the fruits.

Timings & Tours

Friday 06 September:

0900-1700 displays

Saturday 07 September:

0900-1700 volunteers present 1000-1600

Monday 09 September:

0900-1700 displays

Tuesday 10 September:

0900-1700 displays

Wednesday 11 September:

0900-1700 displays

Thursday 12 September:

0900-1700 displays

Friday 13 September:

0900-1700 displays

Saturday 14 September:

0900-1700 volunteers present 1000-1600

Location & directions

The Storey & Gardens, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1TH

Directions:

Enter The Storey building from Meeting House Lane or Castle Hill. The stained glass windows are on the first floor and can be reached using the lift or the wide staircase. The gardens can be accessed from the first floor of The Storey or the steps in the courtyard outside the Printroom Café. Alternatively enter via the gates opposite Lancaster Castle in Castle Park. Follow the signs to the gardens.

Contact on day:

Hospitality Team, The Storey

Telephone number:

+441524582226

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

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