Contact Us
The Ruskin, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW
Email: the-ruskin@lancaster.ac.uk
Visit
The Ruskin is closed to the public during the building renovation.
While our doors are temporarily closed, exhibitions and events are taking place off-site and online. Visit the 'What's On' page to find out more.
What's OnFinding Us
Travel
The Ruskin is a short bike ride, car or bus journey from Lancaster city centre, on Lancaster University's 578-acre parkland campus.
Find out how to reach us by car, bus, rail or bicycle, and download Lancaster University's Campus Map.
Accommodation
If you plan to stay overnight, accommodation listings can be found at Visit Lancaster.
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Directions to The Ruskin
Access
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is located in fourteen places across campus. The nearest accessible parking to The Ruskin is at Bowland Avenue and Library Avenue. Your blue badge must be shown, and a parking ticket is not required.
Bowland Avenue
Find us via University House and Alexandra Square, following signs outside the University Library.
Library Avenue
Find us by turning right onto North Drive and right again to join the shared pedestrian and cycle path.
Public Transport
If you're travelling to us by bus, a lift at Lancaster University Bus Station provides access to Alexandra Square. Find The Ruskin by following signs outside the University Library.
Ramps and Stairlifts
Full access to our facilities is available for wheelchair users via ramps and stair lifts, and there is an accessible toilet on the ground floor.
Access Statement
For full information, view our Access Statement.
Families
Pushchairs
Pushchairs are welcome and can be stored in the foyer.
Baby changing facilities
Available in the Chaplaincy Centre (see our Campus Map).
Group Visits
We welcome local groups, and those visiting Lancaster and the Lake District.
To help plan your visit, have a look at our programme of exhibition tours, lectures, live performance and late openings, and subscribe to our mailing list to keep in touch.
Group Visit
Groups of 8+ are advised to register their visit in advance with The Ruskin by emailing the-ruskin@lancaster.ac.uk. Group visits to The Ruskin are free.
Group Visit with Orientation Service
Free to pre-booked groups of ten or more people. We will meet your coach or minibus at a pre-arranged location on campus, greet your guests, walk them to The Ruskin and provide orientation around the building. Following this, the visit is self-guided.
Introduction (The Ruskin & The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection)
£5 per person, minimum ten people. An illustrated talk on the history of The Ruskin and The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection (20 minutes), followed by a self-guided visit.
Introduction (The Ruskin, The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection, Exhibitions)
£10 per person, minimum ten people. An illustrated talk on the history of The Ruskin and The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection (20 minutes), and an introduction to the current exhibition (15 minutes), followed by a self-guided visit.
Introduction and Archive Tour
£15 per person, minimum ten people; access to the archive is in groups of five. An illustrated talk on the history of The Ruskin and the Collection (20 minutes), and the opportunity to view examples of paintings and drawings, books and manuscripts, prints and photographs from The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection. Following this, small groups are taken ‘behind the scenes’ into The Ruskin’s Archive.
Shop
Find thoughtful gifts for you, your family and friends at our museum shop.
We offer a range of Ruskin designed products inspired by our Collection, alongside a selection of hand-crafted products from local makers, artists and small-scale producers.
The Shop is open Monday to Friday, 10:00–16:00 during exhibitions
Postcards & cards, prints & posters, homeware, textiles, stationary, souvenirs and gifts.
On Campus
The Lancaster University campus occupies a beautiful 578-acre parkland site at Bailrigg, just three miles from Lancaster city centre.
Find out about places to eat and drink.
The campus is home to Lancaster Arts, bringing together our own theatre, art gallery and concert series. The Nuffield Theatre is one of the largest professional studio theatres in Europe. It hosts public performances of theatre, contemporary dance and live art from some of the best-known and respected companies from the UK and abroad. The Peter Scott Gallery is a small gem of a contemporary art gallery, open to the public free of charge.
There is also a Sports Centre, Woodland Walk, and fitness trail.