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With the sea on three sides and the Lakes on the other, the bustling Victorian town of Barrow-in-Furness makes the most of its enviable location. There’s some great walking and cycling routes that start in the town centre, whose wide streets lined with impressive sandstone buildings are evidence of the town’s 19th century prosperity as one of the country’s major shipbuilding centres.
Barrow-in-Furness enjoys a stunning coastline and takes in two estuaries. With impressive coastal views you just have to stop for a while to take in the sheer expanse of Morecambe Bay and the Duddon Estuary.
Where to start? You are spoilt for choice with attractions, indoor and out, in Barrow-in-Furness.
Learn about the fascinating history of the town’s industrial and maritime past at the Dock Museum, which is free to visit and has a great outdoor adventure playground. Barrow also has a wealth of heritage buildings including Piel Castle, an imposing Victorian town hall, and Barrow Park.
Stay a while longer and enjoy some retail therapy. Barrow’s indoor market is one of the largest in Cumbria and featured on the Hairy Bikers Go North BBC2 series. The town centre is home to a vibrant array of quirky independent retailers who offer a friendly welcome and helpful customer service.
There's also a vibrant array of nature and wildlife to enjoy. A visit to Walney Island is a must: it's home to the North and South Walney Nature Reserves, the latter of which is home to Cumbria's only grey seal colony. It's also a great place for bird watching.
From Walney head along the north-western peninsula to Roanhead beach and sand dunes, alongside the Sandscale Haws Nature Reserve. A sun-trap on a bright day, families will love exploring the natural world and playing hide and seek among the dunes.
Barrow can trace its heritage back thousands of years. It's Viking legacy can be seen in placenames like North Scale (from ‘skali' - Norse for summer dwelling), Biggar (from ‘bygg gar' meaning barley field) and Roa (red island). The name ‘Furness’ is derived from ‘Far Ness’ (or ‘distant headland’) – its remoteness being one of the main reasons why the monks chose to build an abbey here.
The establishment of Furness Abbey in 1127 had a major impact on the area. By the early 13th century, it was the second largest monastery in England. Piel Castle was also used by the monks as a warehouse to store grain and wool prior to shipment overseas.
For centuries Furness was part of Lancashire and being an isolated northern outpost it was left quietly undisturbed until the mid-19th century. The arrival of the Furness Railway in 1846 made it much easier to transport iron ore and slate out of the area. Within 40 years, Barrow went from being a small village on a remote headland to a large industrial town with railway, docks, iron/steelworks and a thriving shipyard.
Barrow’s growth was really down to the efforts of three men: local iron ore magnate Henry Schneider, Furness Railway Company general manager James Ramsden and Lord Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire, who put up most of the money.
Ramsden had the notion of using Barrow's steel to build ships and with money invested by the railway company and the Duke of Devonshire, the Barrow Shipbuilding Company was formed in 1871. Two years later the company launched its first sailing vessel and started building ships for clients all over the world. Over 1000 vessels, from warships to oil tankers and passenger liners, have been built here since 1873.
In 1897 the shipyard and engineering works were taken over by Vickers who ran it for nearly a century. The Company developed the model estate of Vickerstown on Walney in the early 1900s to provide homes for shipyard workers, complete with shops, churches, a farm and a park. At around the same time, a bridge was opened to link Walney with Barrow (re-named Jubilee Bridge in 1935).
Today, the steel industry has disappeared but shipbuilding is still at the economic core of the town with BAE Systems continuing to build submarines for the Royal Navy in the huge Devonshire Dock Hall that dominates the southern part of the town.
Askam-in-Furness - Askam and Ireleth are villages just outside of Barrow.
Dalton-in-Furness - In medieval times Dalton was the administrative centre of Furness, with strong links to nearby Furness Abbey.
Walney Island - The Furness Peninsula is capped by Walney Island - a curving ‘whale tail' that has protected Barrow from the sea for centuries.
During World War II, Barrow was targeted by the Germans because of its ability to build warships and submarines. In May 1941 the Luftwaffe launched a mighty bombardment aimed at the shipyard and steelworks, which were left relatively unscathed. Instead, thousands of homes were either destroyed or damaged.
Victoria Wood’s compelling drama ‘Housewife, 49’ charts the daily life of a Barrow housewife and mother through her diaries, written during the Second World War. The film won two BAFTA awards for the actress, comedian and writer.
The castle, built by Furness Abbey in the 14th-century as a courthouse and prison, was also used as a refuge for Dalton townsfolk and livestock during Scottish raids.
Founded in 1127 Furness Abbey was one of the wealthiest Cistercian abbeys in England until it was ‘dissolved' by Henry VIII in 1537. Its treasures were removed, the lead stripped from the roof and the walls partly demolished to leave the ruins standing testimony to the Abbey's former glory days.
The tall structure on the beach at Rampside is one of 13 ‘leading lights’ that were erected between 1850 and 1870 to guide ships through the Walney Channel. After being threatened with demolition, the brick-built ‘lighthouse’ is the only one of its kind and still flashes a light to ships at sea.
This 14th century stronghold on Piel Island, built by Furness Abbey as a warehouse to store grain and wool, was also the centre of a lucrative trade in smuggling organised by the monks. In 1487 the castle was invaded by Lambert Simnel and his followers as part of their abortive attempt to seize the crown from Henry VII. On the island is the Ship Inn where the landlord, known as the ‘King of Piel', can bestow the title ‘Knight of Piel Island' on visitors.
We bring award-winning live stand-up comedy to Barrow! Every show has a different line-up of four…
In this special semi-acoustic performance, Barbara Dickson and her pianist Nick Holland explore her…
Follow the Money is a musical comedy based on the memories of women who were the frontline…
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after…
No.1 official Debbie Harry & Blondie tribute band
Join presenter Claire Henry and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians for a concert…
Reelin' in the Dan are an ensemble celebrating the music of Steely Dan, performing songs from the…
An Eastern European visitor becomes a resident of a New York airport terminal when a war breaks out…
Prepare to be transported back to the golden era of classic West Coast rock as Desperados…
We're stepping into an enchanted woodland for this adventure, and who knows what we'll find… Join…
'Hejira' is an outstanding 7-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of…
South Walney isolated position on the southern tip of Walney Island makes it a special place for…
A multimedia exhibition at the Dock Museum from 5th December to 23rd February exploring local…
f you're yet to experience the thrill of a Meetwood Flac show, then prepare to be blown away! Hear…
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to…
BarrowFull is an arts organisation led by Barrow-based partners with the aim of increasing…
5-star award-winning entertainment from the tip-top Queen of Comedy. In Barbra Streisand's recent…
As the singer in I Am Kloot from 1999 to 2014, John Bramwell achieved a Mercury Prize nomination…
Bright, modern hotel in the heart of Barrow in Furness with free WI-FI and breakfast included..
A stunning piece of musical theatre which tells the real story of people who come to Barrow as…
Mark Simpson Geysir, Gary Carpenter Pantomime for 13 winds, Mozart Gran Partita, Wind soloists of…
British audiences loved Haydn – and he loved them back. On visits to London, Haydn caused quite a…
Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the…
A Premium Hotel & Wedding Venue based in Barrow in Furness in Cumbria. Set in 14 acres of private…


Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of

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Barrow-in-Furness
We bring award-winning live stand-up comedy to Barrow! Every show has a different line-up of four top comedians, all chosen by Jason Manford! Many comedians from TV plus the best of the UK and International comedy circuit.
Barrow-in-Furness
Make your child's Christmas wishes come true this year with a special visit to see Father Christmas in his magical grotto! *breakfast with Santa + hot chocolate optional.
Barrow-in-Furness
Get your friends, family, or workmates together and join us in the beautiful Drawing Room at Barrow Town Hall for a night of festive fun, food, and a few laughs along the way! Test your Christmas knowledge (and maybe your teamwork skills!) in our…
Barrow-in-Furness
The Spirit of Swing featuring Stevie Kay is the epitome of the UK's Frank Sinatra tribute scene. Timeless and sophisticated, Stevie embodies the essence of Sinatra, exuding that unmistakable swagger and authenticity reminiscent of the genre's…
Barrow-in-Furness
In this special semi-acoustic performance, Barbara Dickson and her pianist Nick Holland explore her catalogue of songs at an intimate level. Barbara lets the words and melodies take 'centre stage' as she performs a wonderful range of material…
Barrow-in-Furness
Follow the Money is a musical comedy based on the memories of women who were the frontline workforce of Barrow's banks.
The ladies who stamped the cheques, counted the cash and kept the wheels of industry turning from the 1960s to the 1990s…
Barrow-in-Furness
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.
Barrow-in-Furness
No.1 official Debbie Harry & Blondie tribute band
Barrow-in-Furness
Join presenter Claire Henry and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians for a concert packed with popular classics and old favourites. This performance has been designed to be informal, engaging and enjoyable for people living with…
Barrow-in-Furness
Reelin' in the Dan are an ensemble celebrating the music of Steely Dan, performing songs from the catalogue between 1972-1980. Born from a shared passion for, and upbringing on, Walter Becker and Donald Fagan's songwriting prowess, the young band is…
Barrow-in-Furness
An Eastern European visitor becomes a resident of a New York airport terminal when a war breaks out and erases his country from the map, voiding his passport. He makes friends with the airport staff and falls in love with a flight attendant.
Barrow-in-Furness
Prepare to be transported back to the golden era of classic West Coast rock as Desperados faithfully captures the essence and spirit of EAGLES. Their impeccable harmonies, flawless instrumentation, and passion for their craft make their show, one…
Barrow-in-Furness
It is 1944. Barrovian soldier, Michael Lowden, has been captured at the fall of Singapore.
The prisoner of war ship he is on is torpedoed and he is left floating in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile back in Barrow his father, Charles, launches an…
Barrow-in-Furness
We're stepping into an enchanted woodland for this adventure, and who knows what we'll find… Join presenter Claire Henry and musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as we discover incredible music and magic with every step. And…
Barrow-in-Furness
'Hejira' is an outstanding 7-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late '70s. Having released the albums 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns', 'Hejira', 'Don Juan's Reckless Daughter ' and…
Barrow-in-Furness
South Walney isolated position on the southern tip of Walney Island makes it a special place for wildlife and people. It is a haven for bird life, many of which nest on the shingle beaches in the spring. No dogs allowed because of risk to wildlife.
Barrow-in-Furness
A multimedia exhibition at the Dock Museum from 5th December to 23rd February exploring local stories of fragility & survival - of nature, of people - in South Cumbria. Through sound, film, images and words, an unseen, unheard world emerges. A world…
Barrow-in-Furness
f you're yet to experience the thrill of a Meetwood Flac show, then prepare to be blown away! Hear your favourite Fleetwood Mac hits played with flair, energy, and authenticity from this hugely popular, youthful 5-piece. Incredible guitar solos,…
Barrow-in-Furness
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to tell the stories of the men and women who made Barrow great and a world leader in engineering. There is so much to do and see in the gallery including…
Barrow-in-Furness
BarrowFull is an arts organisation led by Barrow-based partners with the aim of increasing participation in the arts. We work with the people of Barrow, enabling creative experiences to happen across the town including a vibrant programme of public…
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