So, you haven’t got long until your next lecture. What do you do?
You’re too tight on time to get the 100 all the way home and back, and you don’t fancy rotting away in the library for another hour. Instead of accepting the inevitable doom scroll, how about exploring somewhere different?
Here is a list of the seven best things to do with a spare 50 minutes on Lancaster University’s campus.
1. Take in the SkyLounge views
Fancy a study break? The InfoLab’s SkyLounge (computing don’t appear to like spaces between words) is just a seven minute walk from Alex Square. Climb up the stairs to find spectacular panoramic views of the Lancaster countryside.
The SkyLounge is a gem of a study and conference space hidden behind the fairy lights visible from Pendle. Hop up all of the stairs at around 6pm this time of year for one of the best sunsets on campus.
If you plan on grabbing food at South Campus’s new Coop (opening this November), the SkyLounge is a fab place to tuck in.
2. Admire the Fountain near County College
A five minute walk from Alex Square, you can wander down the oddly cute nature path between the Great Hall and Ash House to the tree lined benches.
You can take a break and watch the fountain (especially good whilst eating a Subway if you ask us) and chat with friends.
The essence of the fountain is the rainbow lights. If you catch it on a good day, you can spot them illuminating the jets of water.
3. Visit Peter Scott Gallery
After you’ve finished your Subway at the fountain, you can head into the Great Hall Complex for the Peter Scott Gallery.
It houses art installations often linking to life in Lancaster, which are regularly updated. You can see the largest collection of Royal Lancastrian ceramics in Britain alongside art from Dürer, Miró, Ernst and Vasarely.
The gallery is open 11am-5pm when exhibitions are on. Their current series of exhibitions centres around the theme On Land. As part of Litfest, they’ll be hosting Poet Laureate Simon Armitage (GCSE English Lit flashbacks anyone?) for an event this November. He’ll be chatting about his new land themed poems.
4. Do some (window) shopping at Restore
How many other university campuses do you know with their own charity shop?
ReStore Lancaster opened in Alex Square in 2023, and is a great place to visit with friends after a coffee date at Costa or Coastal & Co.
They stock normal charity shop clothes, a section of curated vintage pieces (which are actually incredible) and secondhand uni flat essentials. You can also find a selection of Lancaster Uni merch there for anyone feeling particularly patriotic.
5. Have a cosy board game and hot drink moment
There are loads of great board game spots on campus.
A variety of different games can be found in the library and college common rooms. You could pop down to Bowland Bar for some chess or head to Pendle Brew for a game of Jenga.
The thrifty gals amongst us (who don’t fancy splashing out on a Coastal or Costa drink) could make use of the hot water taps scattered round campus. What’s better than a game accompanied by a brew?
6. Go otter watching by Lake Carter
If you’re feeling outdoorsy, you could have a walk down to Lake Carter.
The lake isn’t just a beautiful locations for a summer barbecue, it can be a lovely spot to escape campus (and the M6) and get into nature.
Otter fans can rejoice, as these creatures were spotted in the lake last year. Will we get a peak at them again this Michaelmas term?
7. Walk to the Health Innovation Campus
For those of us who aren’t med students, the Health Innovation Campus might be somewhat of a mystery. It is well worth making a journey to see what’s going on down there.
The walks down across the fields from Alex Square and Lonsdale College are beautiful, especially in the evening when the path is lit up. Plus if you’ve popped down to Lake Carter, you’re already halfway there.
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