Lancaster is not just a cosmetic brand!

“I’m going to England for my Master studies” … “Ah, cool – London?”

“Nooo, Lancaster 🙂 ” “Lancaster?! Where is that? Isn’t it the cosmetic brand?” “Yes, it is, but…”

A tiny little town in the North West of England

Of course, Lancaster is not just a name of a reasonable known cosmetic brand 🙂 . Beyond that, it is the name of a tiny little town located at the North West coast of England, that I have called home for over 6 months now.

With a population of almost 46.000 inhabitants, Lancaster is popular particularly for its Top 10 UK university – the Lancaster University.

thinkmanagement.com

Lancaster University is a campus uni with around 13.000 students and a reputable management school. Founded in 1964, Lancaster University belongs to one of the 7 plate glass universities that have been established to cope with the demands of a growing population and with the beginning of a new technological age. The term “plate glass” should reflect the modern architectural design of the universities that are usually comprised of plate glass.

Since I started my studies in October last year, I have already gained some unforgettable experiences in Lancaster. Storm Desmond is one of them. You might have heard about the floods in the northern parts of England, December 2015. These century floods led to a total shutdown of university operations and thus to an early term ending – some students enjoyed it 🙂 .

thetab.com

But Lancaster is not just famous for its unpredictable weather and award winning university. Beyond this it offers some very nice places that make the small little town charming and worth visiting.

Things to do in Lancaster

One of the places in Lancaster I like most is Williamson Park. The park is located in the eastern part of the city and covers an area of 53.6 acres. It is one of those places where I go when I need time out from studies, new inspiration and fresh air :). Its focal point is the Ashton Memorial – a memorial built by millionaire industrialist Lord Asthon for his second wife.

lancaster.gov.uk

If you are an animal lover,  I suggest you visit the butterfly or the mini beasts and birds house. Here you can find cute little monsters like Frodo the dart frog :). In case you have already found the love of your life and are ready to end your thrilling lifespan, you can also celebrate your wedding up here 🙂 .

Did you know that Lancaster is home of one of the largest micro breweries in the North West of England? As an ale lover you have to visit the Lancaster Brewery and taste a delicious cask ale – an unfiltered and unpasteurised beer that is sometimes referred to as the real ale in the UK. Online bookable brewery tours will give you an insight into the workings of a brewery including the steps of the brewing process.

I am an absolute nature fan and thus I have to mention that Lancaster is an entrance gate into the popular holiday destination of the Lake District. The Lake District is a region in the North West of England that is famous for its impressive mountains, lakes and forests. It holds the highest mountain of England – Scafell Pike (978 metres (3,209 ft) above sea level) – and most of its area is designated to the beautiful Lake District National Park. Here you can enjoy different kinds of sports like hiking, climbing, rafting or mountain biking. Tours can be booked, for example, via Evans Adventure.

evansadventure.co.uk

My Lancaster Burger & Coffee Experience

So far I had my best burger experience in Lancaster at Oscar’s Wine Bar & Bistro. It is a family-run restaurant that gives you the feeling as if you were dining in an impulsive metropolis like New-York due to its welcoming and gastro-club style.

The food and especially the burgers are absolutely delicious! My favourite one is the South-West Stacker – cajun chicken breast layered with bacon, crashed nachos, guacamole, salsa and cheddar. You can’t imagine how tasty it is with crunchy onion rings and chips! Therefore, if you want to have a nice dinner at the weekend I definitely recommend going there due to its friendly atmosphere and value-for-the-money dishes.

biltmoreandoscars.co.uk/oscars-lancaster

Another favourite place of mine in Lancaster is The Hall. The cafe makes one of the best coffees and teas in town. And I’m not the only one who believes this: the cafe won the highest accreditation of the Beverage Standards Association – A Five Cup Award and the Best Flat White in the UK award.

thecoffeehopper.com

The Hall was established by the coffee roasting and tea merchant J. Atkinson & Co. three years ago, and serves award winning teas, coffees & cakes in a unique and post-industrial environment. You can taste delicious coffee from all over the world and tea in an eclectic range of flavours. So if you are searching for a nice place in Lancaster to drink a coffee or cup of tea – please try one of the best coffees in the country!

I hope you enjoyed my first blog entry that is based on my experiences in Lancaster. Now its up to you :). Please feel free to leave any comments and feedback regarding my first blog entry. If you have already been to Lancaster or if you are a current student – please share your favourite places and experiences 🙂 .

See you soon!

Cheers

Pia

 

(Titel image source: lancaster.ac.uk/users/rhc/)

Reference

http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancaster,_Lancashire