Custom House, Lancaster

The Custom House is a classical building on St Georges Quay in Lancaster with Palladian architecture and symmetrical design elements along the River Lune waterfront. Today it serves as a museum and forms part of a larger complex that includes an adjacent bonded warehouse with multiple exhibition spaces.

Built in 1764, the building was designed to collect duties on imported goods and oversee port operations. The customs operations ceased in 1882 when duties were handled from a different location.

The Maritime Museum inside presents exhibits about fishing traditions and the role of the port in the town's commercial life over centuries. Visitors see objects and models that reflect how the waterfront shaped daily life for those who worked at sea.

The site sits along the river with straightforward access to the main entrance of the museum complex. The displays spread across several levels in both buildings, so allow enough time to walk through the different sections.

The architect came from a family of furniture makers before designing this civic building, bringing his craft experience to the classical design. This background in skilled trades shows in how carefully the building details were executed.