Low-temperature (10 K) photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra of undoped Sr3SiO5 as well as Ce(3+) and Eu(3+) single doped Sr3SiO5 have been investigated. They show the host exciton band and the O(2-) to Eu(3+) charge transfer band at 5.98 eV (207 nm) and 3.87 eV (320 nm) respectively. Low-temperature thermoluminescence measurements are reported for Ce(3+) and lanthanide (Er, Nd, Sm, Dy, Er and Tm) co-doped Sr3AlxSi1-xO5. The results show that Ce(3+) is the recombination centre and Nd, Sm, Dy and Tm work as electron traps with trap depths of 0.95 eV, 1.89 eV, 1.02 eV, and 1.19 eV, respectively. Thermoluminescence excitation spectra of Sr2.98Al0.02Si0.98O5:0.01Ce(3+),0.01Dy(3+) show that the traps can be charged by 260 nm UV excitation.