People visiting Lancaster, Lancashire can now use a mobile app to virtually explore the historic prison cells and hidden corridors inside Lancaster Castle. The digital tool provides a way to see areas of the building that are usually restricted or difficult to reach in person.
The update was promoted on Visit Lancashire in February 2026, according to the project’s briefing, to help residents and tourists preview and plan their trips. This digital experience is particularly helpful for visitors with mobility needs who may find it hard to walk on the site’s steep cobbles or narrow stone stairs.
Users can view the castle’s historic prison cells and the dungeons of the medieval Well Tower through 360-degree virtual walks. According to the Duchy of Lancaster, which owns and manages the site on behalf of the Crown, the app allows people to see the castle’s history as both a fortress and a former prison that was closed as a prison in March 2011.
While the app allows for remote exploring, Lancashire County Council’s Museum Service still runs regular guided tours at the physical site. The digital preview is intended to help people decide which parts of the castle they want to visit before they arrive.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
