Lancaster · Beer garden · 4.6★ · 1,188 reviews
South-facing · 160°
Sun returns tomorrow
In shade
No direct sun right now
Sun returns tomorrow
Sun today
9 May
The Three Mariners is Lancaster's oldest pub — a stunning Grade II listed building dating to the 15th century on Bridge Lane. The cobbled courtyard faces south-south-east (160°), catching good sun from late morning through early afternoon, typically from around 10am to 3pm. It's a small but atmospheric garden — stone walls, cobbles underfoot, and the feeling you're drinking somewhere genuinely old. Outdoor heaters extend the season into cooler months.
The Three Mariners is featured in our guide to the best Lancaster pubs — our editorial pick of the 17 city pubs grouped by character.
The Three Mariners has a south-facing courtyard (160°), which means it typically catches the best sun late morning through the afternoon. The small outdoor space is sheltered, making it a reasonable option even on breezier days.
Golden Pints tracks the sun position for this pub in real time — check the live tracker to see whether it's currently in sun, partial sun, or shade before heading out.
The Three Mariners is well placed if you're already around Lancaster's city centre, the canal, the castle quarter, and the university. It can work well as part of a wider afternoon or evening out in Lancaster.
Want to know if The Three Mariners is catching the sun right now? Check the live tracker.
Factual context for The Three Mariners — heritage, what's on site, and how the sun reaches the garden. Sourced from public records; no subjective claims.
The Three Mariners is Grade II listed by Historic England (list entry 1220003) and operates from a building dating to the 15th century on Bridge Lane, immediately below Castle Hill. CAMRA records it as one of only two known pubs in Britain with an original gravity-fed cellar — the cellar sits at first-floor level, excavated into the side of Castle Hill, so casks are lifted up to it rather than down. The pub was previously known as the Carpenter's Arms before adopting its current name; both names connect to the building's proximity to the River Lune and the trades that worked the port.
Cobbled courtyard. Real ale, food served, live music, dog-friendly and family-friendly. Outdoor heaters extend the season. The building is not step-free.
The garden bearing of 160° (south-south-east) gives the courtyard direct sun from late morning through into the early afternoon. The 80° open angle is narrower than most pubs on the site, so the courtyard's sun window is concentrated around the middle of the day rather than spread across the afternoon.
Around 7 minutes' walk from Lancaster railway station. Walking route on Google Maps.
Garden details
Faces
S (160°)
Size
small