The Judges' Lodgings is a well-preserved 17th-century townhouse between Church Street and Castle Hill that served as the official lodging for visiting judges during the Lancaster Assizes. Today it operates as a museum with two distinct collections: the Museum of Childhood, with a remarkable assembly of antique toys and dolls' houses, and the Gillow furniture collection, showcasing the extraordinary work of Lancaster's most famous cabinetmakers.
The Gillow pieces in particular are worth seeking out — Richard Gillow and his family created some of the finest furniture in 18th-century England and were responsible for inventing the billiard table as we know it. The house itself, with its dark wood panelling and period rooms, has not been over-modernised. The location — steps from the castle — makes it a natural stop on any tour of the old quarter. Free entry, though hours are seasonal.