First time or returning festival goer? Either way, we don’t want you to miss anything! This week, we’ve whipped up this handy guide of the locations of our venues, best transport links, parking advice, and some extra tips to help you easily navigate the festival!
Lancaster University Campus Locations
Lancaster University was the birthplace of the NDF. This campus means a lot to our volunteers and is home to some of the events across the weekend.
The Lica Building
The LICA building is located on the North side of campus, just across a small bridge. As you approach from Bigroth Drive, take the first exit at the roundabout to find the visitor parking just outside the LICA Building. Alternatively, if you enter by Hazelrigg Lane from the south campus, follow the South Spine either through campus to Alexandra Square, where you can connect to the North Spine to walk to LICA, or walk the path along the road to the mini roundabout, going straight on to find LICA.
If you have arrived by bus, you will be dropped off at Alexandra Square. Once up the stairs from the bus stop, follow the North Spine until you reach LICA.
Lancaster City Locations
Lancaster city centre offers some wonderful locations for the festival this year. The city is very walkable, although there are some hills. We have two main locations in the city: The Storey and Fraser House. These locations are only a 10-minute walk from each other, making it easy to get to each event.
The Storey
The Storey is a 5-minute walk from Lancaster train station. As you turn right out of the station, follow Westbourne Road until it becomes Meeting House Lane, and the story will be on your left. Alternatively, coming from campus, exit the bus at Common Garden Street to start your five-minute walk to the Storey. As you exit the bus, go left to the main road, King Street, and follow this by going right. Once you reach the traffic lights, head left up Market Street until you reach Meeting House Lane, the Storey will be on your right.
The Storey Gallery
Once you’re in the Storey, go up the first staircase, and the gallery is on the first floor. The gallery will host our opening night and many other events across the festival.
The Storey Lecture Theatre
The Storey Lecture Theatre is on the ground floor of the Storey building. As you enter the building, go towards the cafe and turn left past some seating. The lecture theatre is behind the door at the end of this room.
Fraser House
Fraser House is situated just off South Road at the top of Lancaster City. If approaching on a bus from campus, get off at the infirmary, and it’s on the opposite side of the road. If you’re driving, there is a car park at Fraser House, but remember to enter your registration on entry to validate parking. If you’re coming from the Storey, take a left out of the building down to the lights, and follow King Street until it becomes Penny Street. Once you’ve passed the lights, you’ll be on South Road, and Fraser House is on your left.
Transportation
Although Lancaster is commutable on foot, you do have the option to take the bus and to cycle for locations that are further apart from each other.
Bus
The majority of buses in Lancaster will take you from campus and to town through the same route. The 1 and the 1A both take direct routes, while the 4 and the 100 will go through Bowerham and Hala. However, all of these buses will take you to our main stops of Alexandra Square on campus, Common Garden Street in the city, and the Infirmary bus stop, just before entering the city.
Cycling
You can bike to all of our locations, as there are bike racks near all of the venues. However, many events will include taking something home or possibly bringing something with you, which may cause issues if you are cycling.
Driving
All of our locations can be driven to, however, Lancaster City has paid parking spots, so make sure you check how much time you’ve paid for to avoid fines.
Parking
Although free on-street parking does exist in Lancaster, it is not the most accessible way to attend the festival, as most of the streets are quite a distance from the venues. There are multiple blue badge parking spots and car parks across the city. Our nearest car parks are:
Lancaster University Campus
Auction Mart Car Park
Dallas Road Pay & Display Car Park
For free on-street parking, you can park on most streets in Bowerham without a permit, however, it can be up to a 15-minute walk to one of our venues in the city from here. Make sure to leave yourself enough time to get from your parking space and your event.
We Can’t Wait To See You!
That covers our three main venues, the places within the venues, and the best ways to travel between them all. NDF 2025 is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to host another year of Northern Design master classes, workshops, and networking events. See you all very soon!
