• About the Lakes
  • Lake District News
  • Things to do
  • Places to Visit
  • Where to stay in the Lake District
  • Interesting Articles about the Lake District
  • Eating out in the Lake District
  • Events in the Lake District
  • Windermere Boutique hotel luxury boutique hotel
  • Aphrodites Boutique Hotel

Ulverston

Ulverston is a market town in the south Lakeland district of Cumbria in north-west England. Once part of Lancashire, the town is situated in the Furness area, close to the Lake District, and just north of Morecambe Bay. The most visible landmark in Ulverston is Hoad Monument, which is a concrete structure, built in 1850 to commemorate the local resident and English statesman, Sir John Barrow, who died in 1848.

Ulverston today is a lively town where visitors can enjoy a range of events and festivals. Specialist shops, cosy country pubs and traditional markets combine to make Ulverston one of the most popular towns in the Lake District. Colourful houses and cobbled streets lead to narrow alleys and quaint shops and cafés. The stunning local scenery of the Furness Peninsula surrounds the town, and the coastline boasts superb views over Morecambe Bay.

Morecambe Bay

The wide mud flats and sand banks of Morecambe Bay are home to a vast range of seafood, including oysters, mussels, whelks and cockles, and in turn are important feeding grounds for migrating birds. The molluscs have been harvested by local fishermen for centuries.

 

Ulverston Canal

Thought to be the shortest and deepest canal in Britain, Ulverston Canal was an important part of the local economy for over 50 years. The lock gates at Canal Foot have since been replaced by a concrete dam, which seals the canal from the sea and offers a haven for freshwater fish and wildlife. Visitors can enjoy a walk along the towpath from Canal Street to Canal Foot, and take in some of the beautiful scenery along the way.

Sea Wood

Sea Wood is an ancient woodland that once belonged to Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for just 9 days before her execution in 1554. Originally planted with oak to provide timber for shipbuilding, the tree trunks were floated up the estuary during high tides to the shipyard in Ulverston. During springtime, the woodland floor is covered with wild flowers, which provides visitors with one of the most beautiful sights in the lakes.

The Cumbria Coastal Way

The Cumbria Coastal way is only for serious walkers. This long distance route of 182 miles, stretches between Morecambe Way and the Solway Firth, and runs around the coastline of Cumbria. The journey offer walkers many diverse sights along the way, from the Victorian towns of Barrow and Millom, to the Roman town of Carlisle. The walk also takes in the stunning natural landscapes of the Duddon Estuary and the high-tec and controversial, Sellafield site.

Sir John Barrow

Not only was local man, John Barrow a great statesman, but he was also a well known explorer. Born at Dragley Beck, Ulverston, in 1764, Barrow learnt many languages during his travels, including Mandarin Chinese, and he became second secretary of the Admiralty. Barrow promoted and encouraged British naval exploration of West Africa and the Arctic, and in 1830 he became a founder member of the Royal Geographical Society. Barrow died in 1848.

Sir John Barrow's Cottage

 

Sir John Barrow´s Cottage is open to visitors occasionally, and is a simple, one storey house which originally had a thatched roof and oak framed windows. The property was given to the town by the Barrow family.

Conishead Priory

Conishead Priory is a Buddhist Temple and historic mansion, which is set in 70 acres of woodlands and gardens on the shores of Morecambe Bay.  The Priory provides a peaceful and tranquil place of spiritual rest for visitors, and it is home to one of the largest Buddhist communities in Europe. Originally, Conishead Priory was opened by the Monks in 1160, and served as a hospital for the poor. The Kadampa World Peace Temple now sits on the site, which is used for daily prayer meetings and meditation.  Guided tours of the house and temple are available.

The Quakers and Swarthmoor Hall

The Quaker Movement once found strong support in the Furness area, which started when George Fox moved into Swarthmoor Hall in 1652. This Elizabethan mansion, south of Ulverston, one belonged to Judge Thomas Fell, who was open to the idea of Quakerism. In times of great opposition to the Quakers, the Judge and his wife, Margaret, allowed the hall to be used as a place of worship for the Quakers, and George Fox would preach to the followers.

George later married Margaret Fell in 1669, and both continued to promote the Society of Friends, until their deaths in 1691 and 1702 respectively. The hall was left to a nephew, and sold in 1759 to pay off debts. The house was later acquired by Emma Clarke Abraham, a direct descendant of Thomas and Margaret Fell, who sold it back to the Society of Friends in 1912.  The Society still owns the house today. Other nearby Quaker sites of interest include: the burial ground at Sunbrick and the Quaker Meeting House at Swarthmoor. The Quaker Tapestry is also well worth a visit at Kendal.

Gleaston Castle

 

Gleaston Castle was built around 1325 by Sir John de Harrington to defend the area against Scottish raiders, but it was only occupied for around 100 years. By the 16th Century, the castle was nearly derelict, and belonged to Henry Grey and his daughter, Lady Jane Grey, who were both executed in 1554 for treason. The castle is now part of a working farm and although it is situated on private land, it can be seen from the road.

Laurel and Hardy Museum

 

If you are a fan of Laurel and Hardy, don´t miss the chance to visit the Laurel and Hardy Museum while you are in the Lake District. The founder of the museum, Bill Cubin, devoted his life to these world-famous comedians, and collected an amazing treasure trove of memorabilia, which includes personal letters, photos and furniture. A small 1920s style cinema shows classic Laurel and Hardy films all day.

 The Lakes Glass Centre

Renowned throughout the world, Cumbria Crystal is sold around the globe. At the factory and workshop in Ulverston, visitors can see the glass being produced. Exquisite and finely cut crystal glassware is made every day at the Lakes Glass Centre, and a fascination exhibition, named the ´Gateway to Furness´ also offers visitors an insight into the colourful history of Ulverston.

Accomodation in Ulverston, Windermere, Grasmere, Bowness, Ambleside, Kendal and Keswick is among the best in the Lake District. Whether you are looking for stylish themed hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation, guest houses or campsites, you will find it all in the Lake District. Offering visitors so much to see and do, it may be worth spending a few nights in a Windermere hotel, and moving on to Ulverston to see the very best of the Lake District.

 

 

Home >> Places to Visit

Other Pages That May Interest You...

Top 10 Autumn and Winter events in the Lake District

Top 10 Autumn and Winter events in the Lake District Most visitors enjoy the splendour of the Lake District during the spring...

Continue Reading Here: Top 10 Autumn and Winter events in the Lake District
Published: 2010-09-01 08:16:16

Top 10 Lake District attractions

Top 10 Lake District attractions ...

Continue Reading Here: Top 10 Lake District attractions
Published: 2010-08-31 08:26:13

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway The beautifully-restored steam locomotives at Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway pull coache...

Continue Reading Here: Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
Published: 2009-11-14 12:04:42