Historic Lancaster bar, restaurant and hotel to close for major revamp

A historic bar, restaurant and hotel in Lancaster is set to close for several weeks for a major facelift.

The Toll House on Penny Street will shut after trading on Saturday May 31 and reopen after a refurbishment, on Monday July 7.

In October 2024, Beyond Radio reported that the Toll House had put in a listed building application for internal refurbishment of the ground floor.

Listed building consent for the work was subsequently granted by Lancaster City Council.

A Facebook post from The Toll House today said: "Lancaster’s worst kept secret is out, and we can confirm we are closing for a full refurbishment to our bar and restaurant from Sunday 1st June.

"Our last trading day for the bar, restaurant and hotel will be Saturday 31st May.

"Scaffolding will be going up from next week, as we’re also taking the opportunity to do some much needed external repairs to the walls and windows of our lovely Grade II listed building (don't worry, it'll be coming down again sharpish).

"We’ll be open as normal right up until closing time on the 31st May.

"We are re-opening on Monday 7th July, so get the date in your diary."

The Toll House Inn is on the corner of Penny Street and Aldcliffe Road at the gateway to the city centre.

Records show that a public house called the White Cross Inn was on or near the Toll House Inn site dating back to before 1820.

During the 1960s the White Cross Inn and the Farmers Arms were amalgamated into the one large pub with rooms above that stands on the site today, retaining the Farmers Arms name.

In 2006 the Farmers Arms closed for a full refurbishment and reopened in 2007 as Penny Street Bridge hotel.

Following another investment and refurb in 2015, it took on the name of the Toll House Inn.