ADVERTISING FEATURE: 400 years of history at Lancaster landmark the Judges' Lodgings

Lancaster's oldest townhouse and now a musem - the Judges' Lodgings - has three big anniversaries coming up.

This year marks 400 years of the Judges' Lodgings and its 50th anniversary as a museum.

The iconic landmark will also mark a special milestone in 2016, the 200th anniversary since the house was bought by the County Magistrates for judges to lodge in

A special open weekend, with free entry, will be held on Saturday September 13 and Sunday September 14 to celebrate these occasions.

"Lots of people say I've loved in Lancaster all my life and never been in...well this is your year, come in and see us!" said Lynda Jackson, museum manager.

"It is an amazing building and it's got an amazing history."

LISTEN to Lynda Jackson and Gregory Wright talking about the history of the Judges' Lodgings and its birthday celebrations

Nestled below Lancaster Castle, the Judges' Lodgings dates back  400 years on a site that has been at the centre of Lancaster's history for nearly 2000 years.

The current house was built around 1625 by Thomas Covell, Keeper of the Castle and famous for locking up the Pendle Witches during the infamous Lancashire Witch Trials.

From 1826 the house became a lodgings for the travelling 'Red Judges' of the Assizes Courts.

Dressed in their scarlet robes, the Judges decided the fate of murderers, forgers and highwaymen at Lancaster Castle.

Today the house is home to beautiful Georgian furniture by Gillows of Lancaster, elegant period rooms and the popular Museum of Childhood.

On the birthday weekend, there will be lots of activities for the family, museum tours, a Victorian tea room and a special archaelogical dig in the south courtyard.

To find out more about the Judges' Lodgings visit lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Here are photos from inside the Judges' Lodgings museum, which is open Thursdays to Sundays, 11am to 4pm, until November 16. Admission is £5 for adults, free for children.

*This paid-for feature has been produced as part of the Lancaster BID Business Birthdays.