We know that for our Lancaster students, making sure you have a fresh cup of coffee before starting your day is a must! And whilst Lancaster may only be a small city, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a spot to get a hot drink. With many places located within the city centre, all of our suggestions are most definitely worth a visit. Whether you pick one and stay loyal, or fully immerse yourself into Lancaster’s coffee culture and visit them all during your time at university, we’re sure of one thing- You’ll enjoy what they have to offer!
Of course, Lancaster has all of the classic chain coffee shops like Starbucks, Costa, Café Nero, etc. But we wanted to give a shout out to all the independent coffee shops that make Lancaster special for locals and students.
Atkinsons
We’ll start with what we would consider Lancaster’s most popular coffee shop: Atkinsons. At 180 years old, Atkinsons coffee is one of Lancaster’s proudest achievements, and if you’re into coffee or tea, it’s most certainly worth a visit! The coffee shop is located on China Street in the centre of Lancaster (close to the bus station and student accommodation for all of our Lancaster students).
They also have a roastery where you can purchase anything you could possibly think to do with hot drinks. From coffee machines and equipment to signature blends, loose-leaf teas, chocolate and even merchandise, there’s sure to be something you’ll enjoy. We also felt the café up at Lancaster castle was worth a notable mention, as it sells Atkinsons coffee and tea and a lovely selection of snacks.
Brew
Brew is a small independent coffee shop located in the heart of Lancaster, it serves a variety of coffees and hot drinks, as well as a selection of freshly baked goods. Located up on Brock Street in the centre of town, Brew is within walking distance of the majority of our off-campus student accommodation. Meaning all our Lancaster students can roll out of bed and into the coffee shop! Brew supports other small businesses and also offers a ‘Guest Filter Coffee’ that changes every month. If you want to try a few different, independent coffee blends, then Brew is the spot for you!
Old Bell Café
The Old Bell Café is a little hidden coffee spot that you may not know! Unless you’ve stumbled across it, or are a Lancaster local, Old Bell Café can be a bit tricky to find as it’s not located on the main high street. Down the cobbles of Bashful Alley, Old Bell Café is a hidden gem, serving homemade cakes and scones, lunch options and a proper good cup of coffee. If you’re a student in Lancaster who hasn’t visited this café yet, it’s definitely worth a trip out.
The Herbarium
The Herbarium serves a wide range of vegan and plant-based drinks and meals. One of Lancaster’s most popular vegan spots, it offers a lovely selection of coffees and other hot drinks with dairy-free milk alternatives. Located directly in the centre of Lancaster, the Herbarium is perfect for those of you living in town centre student accommodation, as it’s right on your doorstep.
If you’re a Lancaster student who enjoys working in public spaces, check out our recent blog on the best study spots in Lancaster and all the best work-friendly coffee spots.