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Lancaster and the Pursuit of Great Beer
I kicked off my Lancaster wander at The Tite & Locke in Lancaster Railway Station — a cool little spot mixing old railway character with modern pub comfort. Their Cascade from Lancaster Brewery was an easy start. Then it was over to Merchants 1688, all stone arches and history, for a punchy IPA. Accidental Brewery & Micropub came next, tiny and friendly, where a cherry sour really stood out. Stonewell Tap was lively and full of character, pouring a juicy Verdant Brewing Co DIPA. I wrapped up at The Sun Hotel & Bar with a smooth, relaxed pale. Proper good evening all round.
Lancaster is full of history, and you don’t have to look far to see it. The Romans started things off with a fort by the River Lune, putting the area on the map early on. Later, the Normans built Lancaster Castle, and the town grew around it with markets, courts, and medieval life in full swing. The 1700s brought wealth from the busy port, which funded many of the grand buildings still standing today, despite the darker sides of that trade. When shipping declined, industry and railways kept Lancaster going, shaping the compact, characterful city people enjoy now.
The Tite & Locke
I started at The Tite & Locke on Lancaster Railway Station by Lancaster Brewery. Tite & Locke opened in April 2022 inside a previously unused corner of Lancaster Railway Station, turning an old Platform 3 storeroom into a relaxed, modern pub with plenty of character. The name is a nod to the station’s origins, combining William Tite, the Victorian architect who designed it, and Joseph Locke, the railway engineer behind the West Coast Main Line. During the refurb, original details like tiled floors and a Victorian fireplace were uncovered and kept, giving the space a strong sense of history alongside local beers and a laid-back atmosphere.
Tite & Locke feels warm, relaxed and slightly industrial inside, with plenty of nods to its railway setting. The space is split into a few connected rooms, featuring exposed brickwork, original tiled floors and solid wood tables that give it a stripped-back, honest look. Old architectural details sit comfortably alongside simple modern touches, so it feels historic without being fussy. Seating is mixed and flexible, with benches, stools and tucked-away corners that suit both quick stops and longer stays. Soft lighting and the station canopy outside add to the cosy, laid-back feel.
A great line up of 6 cask ales on the bar along with a fantastic choice of keg lines ranging in styles. I went with “Cascade” by Lancaster Brewery. This was an easy-going blonde ale — light, smooth, with a bit of citrus and a mellow, not-too-bitter finish.
Merchants 1688
Next was a short stroll to Merchants 1688. The Merchants has been part of Lancaster life since at least the 1600s. Back then, it was a handy stop for traders and sailors coming in and out along the River Lune, which is where the name comes from. It’s seen centuries of deals, gossip, pints, and changing fashions, all while the city grew around it. Though it’s been updated over the years, the pub has kept its old-school feel. Today, it’s still a relaxed place to drink, chat, and soak up a bit of Lancaster’s history without trying too hard.
Inside it feels old in a good way. You’re basically down in these stone cellars under the castle, so there are low, arched ceilings and thick stone walls everywhere. It’s a bit dim but cosy, with that cool, cave-like feel you get in historic buildings. The space is broken up into little areas rather than one big room, which makes it easy to settle in. It feels atmospheric without being pretentious — more about relaxed pints and conversation than anything flashy. Definitely somewhere you notice the history while you’re sat there.
On the bar here a brilliant line up of 6 cask ales along with a selection of keg lines. I went with Merchants 1688 W.I.P.A by Tirril Brewery is a proper hoppy IPA — zesty, a bit piney, and nicely bitter without being heavy.
Accidental Brewery & Micropub
Onto Accidental Brewery & Micropub. Opened in 2018, the Accidental Brewery and Micropub was set up as a proper home for Accidental’s beers, tucked into a small, older city-centre building that suits it perfectly. The space is narrow and unfussy, with the brewhouse squeezed in alongside the bar, so you’re never far from where the beer’s made. Everything’s kept simple: hand-pulled cask, a few well-chosen guest ales, and room for good conversation. The relaxed, lived-in feel of the building adds to the charm, helping make the pub a favourite for people who like well-kept pints and places that don’t try too hard.
Inside, the Accidental Brewery and Micropub is small, warm, and nicely snug. It’s long and narrow, with the bar right by the door and the rest of the space running straight back. There’s lots of wood, bits of bare brick, and a slightly scuffed, lived-in look that feels comfortable rather than done-up. The ceiling’s low, the lights are soft, and everything’s close enough that it feels friendly, not cramped. It looks like a place that’s grown into itself over time — relaxed, simple, and easy to feel at home in.
A fantastic keg line up on the bar, featuring a large number from their own brewery alongside a number of guests. Even more choice of cans in the fridge if you want something to take away. I chose “So Here It Is, Cherry Christmas” by Accidental Brewery is a cherry-soured beer — juicy and tart with noticeable cherry flavour and a festive, fruity tang that’s easy to enjoy.
Stonewell Tap
Another short walk brought me to Stonewell Tap. Occupying two old buildings on Church Street, Stonewell Tap has deeper roots than it first appears. One part of the site is a rare surviving 17th-century building, later joined to a neighbouring property. By around 1806 it was trading as the White Horse, a long-standing pub in the centre of Lancaster. In the late 20th century it became the Stonewell Tavern, then briefly Paddy Mulligan’s in the early 2000s, before reverting to its former name. A major refurbishment in 2017 saw it reopen as the Stonewell Tap, nodding to a historic stone well shown on early maps.
Inside, Stonewell Tap feels relaxed and lived-in, like it’s always been there. It’s low-ceilinged with exposed stone, dark wood and lots of little corners that remind you how old the building is. The bar’s the main focus, lined with taps, fridges full of cans and handwritten boards listing whatever’s pouring that week. Lighting’s warm and slightly dim, especially later on, which adds to the cosy feel. It’s usually buzzing but never stuffy — people chatting, music in the background, glasses clinking — very much a drop-in, stay-longer kind of place in the middle of Lancaster.
It was fantastic meeting and chatting to James in here. On the bar a selection of 4 cask ales along with 16 keg lines featuring a wide variety of styles, including Putty 2026 from Verdant Brewing Co which I went for. A big, hazy DIPA — super juicy, loads of tropical fruit vibes, soft and smooth but with a sneaky bit of strength behind it.
The Sun Hotel & Bar
Last call in Lancaster was to The Sun Hotel & Bar by Lancaster Brewery. The Sun Hotel & Bar has been around forever by Lancaster standards. There’s been a pub on this spot since at least the late 1600s, built over what was once a medieval hall. It was officially licensed in 1680 and quickly became a busy coaching inn where people ate, drank, argued, and swapped gossip. In 1745, soldiers from Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army even stayed the night, which feels very on-brand. Over the years it’s changed names and roles, but it’s always stayed a social hub. Today, it’s still doing what it does best: food, drinks, and good company in Lancaster.
Inside the Sun Hotel & Bar, it feels relaxed and lived-in, not fancy or try-hard. There are chunky stone walls, low ceilings, and old wooden beams that quietly show its age. The lighting’s warm, the furniture’s comfortable, and there are plenty of snug corners as well as open tables for groups. It’s the sort of place where you instantly feel fine staying for “one more”. Old features mix easily with modern bits, so it feels cared for but not polished. Overall, it’s got a classic pub feel with a friendly, easygoing feel right in Lancaster.
A great line up of 8 cask ales featuring beers from Lancaster Brewery alongside guests, as well as a selection of keg options. I went with “Eternity” by Little Tales Beer Co. An easy-drinking pale ale — smooth, balanced, with light malt and gentle hop flavour.
Micropub Adventures 