Lancaster Castle tours win prestigious national tourism award for ‘Best Told Story’

Operated by Lancashire County Council’s Museum Service, Lancaster Castle tours have been awarded the title of ‘Best Told Story’ at the 2025 VisitEngland Accolade Awards – an honour that celebrates excellence in storytelling and visitor engagement across the UK’s top attractions.

Presented by England’s national tourism board, the VisitEngland Accolade Awards are a mark of excellence, reserved for attractions that deliver truly outstanding visitor experiences.

The recognition for the tours at Lancaster Castle follows a glowing assessment by VisitEngland in 2024.

With origins dating back to Roman times, Lancaster Castle has stood for nearly a thousand years as a symbol of power, justice and resilience. Owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, the castle has served as a royal fortress, a centre for law and order, and one of Europe’s longest-operating prisons. Its walls have witnessed everything from medieval warfare and royal visits to infamous trials, including those of the Lancashire Witches in 1612. Today, its guided tours offer visitors a vivid journey through centuries of British history, exploring courtrooms, cells and stories that shaped the nation.

Lancaster Castle’s guided tours were singled out by the assessor for their exceptional quality. The assessor awarded the tour an impressive 92%, with top marks in four out of five categories.

In their report, the assessor described the tour as “extremely well structured,” with all areas visited described as authentic, and the “immaculately maintained courtrooms” highlighted as a standout feature.

Particular praise was reserved for tour guide James Houghton.

The assessor wrote: “The tour guide’s exceptional knowledge, skill, good humour and enthusiasm brought all areas to life with a careful blend of facts and anecdotes. The guide was a natural storyteller and had a captive, engaged audience from start to finish.

"Barring a couple of small tweaks to the conclusion, this tour was flawless.”

Dr Colin Penny and James Houghton receiving the award 

James and Dr Colin Penny, Museum Manager at Lancaster Castle, attended the official awards ceremony hosted at the British Motor Museum on 12 November 2025.

Reflecting on the honour, James said: “It’s a real privilege to share the stories of Lancaster Castle with our visitors every day. To know that the experience resonated so strongly means a great deal.

"This award is a reflection of the whole team’s passion and commitment – I’m proud to be part of it.”

The accolade allows Lancaster Castle to proudly display the official VisitEngland ‘Best Told Story’ logo, reinforcing its status as one of the UK’s leading heritage attractions.

County Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said:

“This award is a testament to the passion and professionalism of our museum team and tour guides, who bring the rich and complex history of Lancaster Castle to life for thousands of visitors each year.

"We are incredibly proud of James and the entire team for delivering such a high-quality experience that has now been recognised on a national stage.”

For more information about Lancaster Castle tours, visit: lancashire.gov.uk/museums