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Festival-happy Ulverston knows how to celebrate events. The party capital of Furness hosts a series of specialist events throughout the year, where visitors also get the chance to sample the town’s wonderful collection of cosy pubs, traditional markets and cultural hotspots. Add in the colourfully rendered houses, cobbled streets and inviting side alleys and there's enough of interest to keep you smiling for days.
Surrounding the town is the gently rolling farmland of the Furness Peninsula. Along the seashore are some lovely coastal villages; Bardsea, Baycliff, Aldingham and Newbiggin, these all have stunning views over Morecambe Bay.
On the road into Ulverston, you’ll notice the prominent Sir John Barrow Monument at the top of Hoad Hill. The uphill climb to the monument is worth it for the breathtaking views over Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells.
Ulverston’s cafés, bars and restaurants reflect this truly unique, festival market town and wherever possible the menus use both local and seasonal produce.
Enter a different world of quirky cafés with certificates of excellence, selling homemade concoctions of oils, spices and pickles and all manner of other curiosities.
It’s an ideal time to browse while you’re waiting for your fabulous meal to arrive. Delicious Chowder, proper puddings with custard and all served up with a glass of cloudy lemonade. Or how about a visit to one of the cafes for breakfast? The full English is amazing with quality local bacon and sausages and then in the evening these excellent little cafes turn into Bistros, again offering the same superb standard of food. Sometimes you need to take your own alcohol with you, but this makes your meal excellent value for money.
Menus cater for Vegetarian and Gluten Free diets and many of the cafes/bistros are suitable for wheelchairs. But it’s not just the cafes which get all the glory here, there’s some pretty amazing pubs both in the town itself and in the surrounding villages of Lowick Green and Swarthmoor, where you’ll be offered deliciously inventive menus which go way beyond normal pub fayre. The service is spot on, while chefs are incredibly talented - and your superb food and cask ales are served amongst beautiful décor.
For a little unusual, how about an old converted barn turned bar and restaurant, the Cumberland pie is gorgeous and so is the local beer. Or if a traditional old English pub is your thing, complete with cosy fire, oak beams and Stan and Laurel memorabilia, then you’ve come to the ideal place for excellent food and ales kept in perfect condition.
For something a little bit continental, try one of the bistros offering beautiful Mediterranean tapas on small sharing plates, so you can try a selection of vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes, with explosions of different flavours and textures. Some of the bistros in Ulverston are tiny, but the atmosphere more than makes up for size, as does the quality of the food. And lastly but by no means least, Ulverston does fine dining impeccably. Cocktails in the gin parlour first and then off to the restaurant for a real taste sensation where you will be offered pure artistry - delicious food at its most creative.
The earliest signs of human life round here was on the limestone outcrops of Birkrigg Common and around Urswick, where finds dating back to the Bronze and Iron ages have been unearthed. At the time, much of the Furness Peninsula was covered with trees which were gradually felled over the centuries to create the patchwork of fields, farms and pockets of woodland that exists today.
After the Norman Conquest, Henry I granted the western forests of Furness and the whole of Walney Island to Stephen of Blois, crowned king of England in AD113, and the eastern section to William le Fleming. William's son, Michael, inherited the land in 1167 – as a result, it was known as the Manor of Muchland (Michael's land).
Ulverston was granted a market charter in 1280 by Edward I. Shortly afterwards, the Scots began raiding large parts of northern England in response to the king's attempts to quell Scotland and bring it under English rule. Large areas of Furness were devastated by the attacks, which prompted the building of several fortified buildings as defence.
It was after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537 that Ulverston came to prominence as a market town, whilst Dalton declined in importance. The fast-flowing Gillbanks Beck (now culverted under the town) provided water power for mills making cotton, paper, candles and other commodities. Goods including local iron ore and slates were taken by packhorse to loading bays at Ulverston, Bardsea and Baycliffe - a slow and laborious means of conveyance that was soon to be replaced by water transport.
By the 19th century, Ulverston was a thriving commercial port, exporting cotton from Ellers Mill, slate from Burlington Quarries, iron from its foundries, limestone from Stainton and leather from its numerous tanneries (there is still a Leather Lane in Ulverston). Other industries included brick making, paper manufacture and brewing beer. The malty aroma from Hartley's Brewery was a feature of the town until 1991, when it was bought out by Robinson’s, who moved production to Stockport.
Looking for something to do in Ulverson?
Our friends at Ulverston.com have Ulverston’s biggest Events Calendar which includes festivals, live music, community events, classes, club meetings, sports matches, pub quizzes, open days, etc.
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Bardsea - a lovely little village sitting on the coast road that takes you from Ulverston through to Barrow. The beach itself is mostly shingle and offers a wonderful view across the bay looking towards Heysham and Morecambe.
Gleaston - located between Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston, this beautiful village boasts of a 17th century Water Mill that has now become a tourist attraction. Moreover, the remains of Gleaston Castle are still visable.
Haverthwaite - the famous Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway runs between Haverthwaite on a 3.5 mile journey via Newby Bridge to Lakeside station on Lake Windermere, where you can pick up regular steamer services on Lake Windermere.
Newby Bridge - Newby Bridge is located at the foot of Lake Windermere and offers magnificent views into the heart of the Lake District. Spanning the River Leven, the bridge itself is a lovingly crafted crossing made from local stone.
Greenodd - The extensive broadleaved woodlands of the Rusland Valley have not always presented the tranquil scene they do today. Leven and Crake valleys acted as conduits for the transport of goods and materials and at their confluence is Greenodd.
Did you know?
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
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Mark Lundquist Management presents Magic Queen Magic Queen re-enacts the glorious days of legendary…
Come and enjoy our botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Tea! Zoe’s created the sweet treats using some of…
Two fantastic performances, with a two-course lunch designed by Base Head Chef Mark Setterthwaite.…
Paris based Dave Bristow is a pianist and composer who is fast emerging as one of the most original…
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
Don't Go Into The Cellar presents THE WAR OF THE WORLDS The chances of anything coming from Mars…
In 2024 we're teaming up with the National Trust Rangers at Sandscale Haws to offer a unique guided…
Our famous glass blowing experiences are back. Experience first-hand and close up, the extreme…
On arrival you will be greeted with a Shed One Fancy Frolic gin* and tonic before being guided…
Would you like to introduce your toddler or young child (under 5) to the joys of classical music?…
This programme for lute and soprano is a celebration of love in all its forms, where poetry and…
The Coro is an historic arts, culture and entertainment venue presenting Theatre, Music, Comedy,…
Our debut at Cartmel Priory – a magnificent setting for two large-scale choral works – marks…
We, Andy & Zoe Arnold-Bennett, launched Shed One from our 7x7 foot Garden Shed in 2016. After…
Celebrating the end of the Music Festival's 20th Anniversary - join us for a tea party with a twist…
Ulverston International Music Festival Celebrity Recital: Jennifer Pike & Martin Roscoe Jennifer…
With string quartets by Beethoven and Greig this lunchtime performance promises to be a treat in…
Based in the centre of the brilliant old market town of Ulverston, Retro Rendezvous is a full…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
Why not take a break from your travels and relax in the warm, welcoming and nostalgic surroundings…
On arrival you will be greeted with a Shed One Fancy Frolic gin and tonic before being guided…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 72
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County Square, Ulverston
Don't Go Into The Cellar presents
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one. And yet, mankind finds itself on the brink of extinction when aggressive creatures from that remote planet land on Earth. The…
County Square, Ulverston
Co-produced by Cumbria Music Hub and Orchestras Live
Cumbria Calling: Gaming Adventures
Experience a concert of epic video game soundtracks live with The Manchester Video Game Orchestra!
With the games on screen, the orchestra will bring the…
Ulverston
Based in the centre of the brilliant old market town of Ulverston, Retro Rendezvous is a full weekend of fabulous retro fun. Music, food, dance, clothes, markets, vintage cars, scooters, motorcycles, and the famous Velo Retro old school cycling…
County Square, Ulverston
Based on Gilbert's story An Elixir of Love, it tells the tale of Alexis, a man obsessed with the idea that all should fall in love. Enlisting a 'Family Sorcerer' of J.W.Wells & co. in London to administer a love potion to the entire village – via a…
Ulverston
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. It is known as the cradle of Quakerism as the movement was founded here almost 400 years ago. Visitors can relax in our cosy cafe or browse for something special in our gift shop.…
Ulverston
Come and enjoy our botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Tea! Zoe’s created the sweet treats using some of the botanicals we use to make our gins & vodkas. A welcome tipple awaits you, followed by a distillery tour by the owners and distillers, Andy & Zoe.…
County Square, Ulverston
Explore the exotic space where science and magic meet with the magician-scientist-adventurer, trained by US magic legends Penn & Teller.
With over a decade of Edinburgh Fringe sell-outs, performances around Europe and tours of Australia, Kevin…
Ulverston
Join us, Andy & Zoe, to create your own spirits. Groups are small and we guide you through the process from choosing your botanicals to finding the perfect abv. Start with a tour, include a few sweet treats and it’s an afternoon to remember!
Haverthwaite, Ulverston
Why not take a break from your travels and relax in the warm, welcoming and nostalgic surroundings of our licensed ‘Station Tea Room’ just off the platform at Haverthwaite Station. Our home cooked menu includes our hearty Railwayman’s breakfast,…
Ulverston
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a relaxed spirits tasting in our stylish visitor bar.
County Square, Ulverston
Celebrating the end of the Music Festival's 20th Anniversary - join us for a tea party with a twist. Tango is a musical genre created around multiple influences. In this performance an Argentinian bandoneónist and Norwegian violinist will lead the…
Lindal in Furness
Rhinos, Tigers, Giraffes, Lions and Bears living in the heart of the Lake District….this is something you need to see for yourself!
Duddon Bridge, Broughton-in-Furness
Located in the picturesque Duddon Valley near the market town of Broughton-in-Furness awaits the stylish Cow Barn. With 3 sunny bedrooms, a modern airy interior, cosy log-burner & pretty garden, it’s the ideal base for a break in the Lakes
County Square, Ulverston
Mark Lundquist Productions
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Direct from a weeklong run in London's West End, a SOLD-OUT Worldwide tour and standing ovations at every performance, The Simon & Garfunkel Story continues to stun audiences across the globe!…
Ulverston
The ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, are the only Mac tribute to authentically replicate the classic 'Rumours' line-up.
County Square, Ulverston
This unique programme - with Jess Dandy contralto, Neil Curry poet and Anthony Hewitt pianist - is a rich tapestry of the ways in which people have interacted with the North over the last two millennia, industrially, creatively, spiritually,…
County Square, Ulverston
Paris based Dave Bristow is a pianist and composer who is fast emerging as one of the most original and talented jazz musicians in Europe. His main project is the Dave Bristow Quintet for which he write all the compositions. They're s sonic tour de…
Ulverston
Velo Retro is ready for its 10th anniversary year. The only retro and vintage cycling event in the English Lake District, where for one weekend, steel vintage bikes rule and retro cycling jerseys are cool!
Ulverston
Nicholas Daniel OBE has long been acknowledged as one of the world's great oboists and is one of Britain's best-known musicians. Here he joined by frequent collaborator Huw Watkins, notable too for his renown as a pianist and composer. Performing a…
Cumbria
The Cumbria Way runs through the heart of the Lake District, from the attractive market town of Ulverston on the shores of Morecambe Bay, to the historic city of Carlisle close to the Scottish Border, passing through some of the finest scenery of…
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