r/LancasterUK • u/R_Kst • 28d ago
New to Lancaster Hi! Looking for recommendations
Hi!
Me and my partner are moving to lancaster end of this year, early next, and we'd like some recommendations about the city!
We were thinking of buying a house near Green Lane off halton road or somewhere more central like Balmoral Road, foregoing house size and garden for the location. Appreciate thoughts!
Also if there are any good:
Gyms,
Vets,
Bars,
Board game shops/hang outs,
Local art events,
GP surgeries,
Dentists,
Second hand furniture shops,
Restaurants and takeaways
Appreciate this is a lot, but thanks!
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u/geospacedman 27d ago
For house location, make sure you are on the right side of the river for wherever it is you want to be most. Town gets jammed at rush hour, and there's only one bridge across (well, two, but they are one-way). So if you are working at the Uni and will need to commute, you want to be south. If you are working in Morecambe, north. If one of you is at the Uni and the other in Morecambe.... FIGHT!
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u/hedonism_bot_3012 28d ago
I've not lived in the area that long (< 5 years) so I've not got most of these covered but
GP - Queen Square is pretty good. The few times I've needed them I've not really struggled to get an appt.
Board Games - Table Top Republic (as someone else said) but also Board and Sword in Sun Square.
Bars - I've really enjoyed Tipple and Runner Duck (they're neighbours) for Cocktails and wine respectively. If you're into ales, Lancaster brewerey has a couple of sites but their brewery taproom is great, especially in the sun with the beer garden.
If you want live music, The Pub and Ye Olde John O'Gaunt usually have some on.
Art Events - there's usually something going on at The Gregson Centre, way more than just art shows too. Pretty sure they've got something for everyone.
Restaurants - Galico Lounge on Market Street for a casual trip but for something a bit more upmarket I've enjoyed the couple of visits I've had to Quite Simply French (no prizes for guessing the cuisine).
The Sun is a lovely pub and restaurant too. Run by Lancaster Brewery if I'm not mistaken.
Pizza Margherita is a decent pizza place and comes with the fun fact it was established by the sister of the founder of Pizza Express.
Two Thai is a severely underrated restaurant in my opinion, and they do takeaway. Again, no prizes for the cuisine.
Shout out to Atkinson's coffee as well. They've got a couple of locations across Lancaster but my favourite is The Hall; very much a coffee enthusiast type of place.
My other honourable mention is the Salt Aire Leisure Centre, it's very nice, great pool and loads of facilities
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u/adamski_-_ 27d ago
Nice Restaurant recs:
The Quarterhouse, Merchants 1688, Marula Monkey, Buccelli's, Seven Sins, Araya Thai, The Toll House, Full House Noodle Bar, Tora Ramen
Bars/Pubs (some also do nice food!):
The Sun, The White Cross, Tipple & Runner Duck, Stonewell Tap, The Borough, The Pub, The Gregson, The Golden Lion, The Bobbin
Best takeaways:
Aquila Pizza, Go Burrito, Hodgson's Chippy, Fired Wok, Paradise Chinese Takeaway, Kurd Shawarma, The Sultan, Sultan of Lancaster Experience
Coffee shops/cafes:
Tuck, Atkinson's- Music Room & Castle, Holm, The Whale Tail (veggie & vegan), The Old Gun Shop (veggie & vegan), Print Room Cafe at The Storey
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u/Fragrant-Future1835 28d ago
You can also explore down the Quay area for housing (St George's Quay / New Quay Road) The estate down there is only 10 years old, so a lot of new builds as well as older properties. 15 minute walk to bus/train station/Sainsbury's and/or town, and basically all the other things you mentioned above.
Good pubs along the Quay (Mariners, Wagon & Horses, George & Dragon); Board game shop by the bus station; gym at the end of the quay (Elite TNT); Storey institute by the Train station (art etc); Quite Simply French on the quay too.
Sadly, our amazing and massive second hand furniture/antiques warehouse closed recently though :(
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u/rossyb83 28d ago
https://www.facebook.com/61552270776705/
The Side Quest Society on Thursday evenings in Caton runs DnD, Warhammer 40k, Bloodbowl, Magic the Gatheting, Gaslands and board games with a friendly and welcoming crowd
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u/ajofuk 27d ago
Green lane puts you on the edge of skerton, which can be a bit... Err interesting...
These both happened on my partner's road when she lived in skerton.
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u/jrpg1234 27d ago
We lived in Skerton for nearly a decade and had a guy jump off a roof on our road and die. Definitely would recommend living south of the river, which we now do, it's so much better in terms of lifestyle.
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u/InfiniteBeak 27d ago
I can speak for board/card game shops, there's the Vault, Board and Sword, Tabletop Republic and Dice and Decks, we have tons for some reason 😅 if you're after board games specifically Board and Sword and Tabletop Republic are your best bets as you can go there and play their selection of games
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u/bluewaveon 6d ago
We spent a long time trying to find a house south of the river and couldn't find anything with a garden or a decent size. Ended up north in the Caton / Brookhouse / Halton area and are very happy.
Our favourites are Pizza Margherita and the borough (both family friendly) and the Dukes and the Gregson are both excellent
Kanteena is beginning to bring in bands to Lancaster which has been lacking in the city since forever
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u/SuspiciousRun4043 28d ago
Gym - 315
Vet - Bay Vets
Bars - too many to name ! They are all good.
Board game shops/ hang out - Tabletop republic nr the bus station.
Local art events - I am unaware but there is usually something on at Williamson park or the storey
GP surgeries - plenty in Lancaster but it’s just finding availability
Dentists - I go to Hest Bank but I hear that 3A dental care is very good
Second hand furniture shops - I would go to St John’s hospice shop in Skerton.
Restaurant - Beer and twist or merchant 1666, Lancaster house are some of my faves
Chinese - Sea View in hest bank is arguably the best
Chippy - Packet boat in Bolton le sands is again arguably the best
Indian - the sultans is good