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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.
Step inside real-life cases through dramatised crime scene mock-ups, criminal profiling,…
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Photography exhibition about the Morecambe Bay fishing community by Tessa Bunney
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"Chin Music" has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in basketball or…
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40 comfortable bedrooms, breakfast available daily, free on-site parking and Coast Restaurant &…
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An evening of music inspired by remembrance, resilience and hope, centred on the remarkable story…
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A Premium Hotel & Wedding Venue based in Barrow in Furness in Cumbria. Set in 14 acres of private…
Join presenter Claire Henry and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians for a concert…


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

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Barrow-in-Furness
Step inside real-life cases through dramatised crime scene mock-ups, criminal profiling, investigative techniques, forensic evidence, and simulated autopsies. You'll connect the dots, analyse the clues, and catch a killer – LIVE!
Barrow-in-Furness
Childhood and lullabies weave through this concert, which puts the spotlight on Benjamin Britten to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
Barrow in Furness
The Unseen Child is the story of a young carer who escapes his daily life through fantasy worlds and battling mythical beasts in a quest to keep his family together.
Once there was a young prince, who was master of all he surveyed. His parents…
Barrow-in-Furness
We're heading back through the musical mists of time to meet everyone's favourite prehistoric pals… Together with presenter Claire Henry and musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Barrow-in-Furness
Cult hit event Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote comes to Barrow with an interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode "Paint Me a Murder". Jessica Fletcher visits the island hideaway of an artist friend, but soon there's a murder that…
Barrow-in-Furness
Tom Hingley is an accomplished singer songwriter and guitarist , best known as the Ex lead singer with Manchester's finest Inspiral Carpets, he sang on all the bands hits and was present at the height of their success.
Barrow-in-Furness
Photography exhibition about the Morecambe Bay fishing community by Tessa Bunney
Ulverston
Aldingham church hugs the Cumbrian side of Morecambe Bay and is open to the wild beauty of the Bay, an area of designated county landscape importance and scenic beauty.
Barrow-in-Furness
Bringing award-winning live stand-up comedy to Barrow! Every show has a different line-up of four top comedians, all chosen by Jason Manford!
Barrow-in-Furness
We are very pleased to bring you a new exhibition to the Dock Museum, "What the sea decides to give you" by photographer and artist, Tessa Bunney.
Tessa has previously had exhibitions displayed around Morecambe Bay, but this is her first exhibition…
Barrow-in-Furness
"Chin Music" has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in basketball or cricket to intimidate the batter. Both describe Rich Hall's comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational.
barrow-in-furness
Celebrate 30 years of Up-Beatlemania with The Upbeat Beatles as they bring their special 30th Anniversary Tour to audiences in 2027.
Barrow-in-Furness
The King Alfred Hotel on Walney is a thriving community pub with 10 en-suite bedrooms. With rooms overlooking Walney Channel we are greatly situated for midweek contractors to anyone looking for a weekend get away with a difference. Walney Island…
Barrow-in-Furness
Discover symphonic sounds up close and personal, as musicians from the Orchestra dive into orchestral blockbusters, familiar favourites, some new discoveries – plus a few special surprises!
Barrow-in-Furness
Heaven Can Wait returns with a spectacular, high-octane production celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Bat Out of Hell — the album that redefined rock theatre forever. This is not a tribute band. This is a full-scale rock concert experience.
Barrow-in-Furness
Join us for our fab, fun, family silent disco with the following channels to choose from:
Ch. 1 Child Friendly Music
Ch.2 Cheese
Ch.3 Guiltily Pleasures
Barrow-in-Furness
Have this special coastal nature reserve all to yourselves for an after-hours adventure! Track wildlife across the reserve using different equipment and techniques, with the help of our expert guides.
Barrow-in-Furness
Back by popular demand, Come and Sing returns to Barrow, bringing voices together for a fun, relaxed and friendly singing workshop.
Barrow-in-Furness
40 comfortable bedrooms, breakfast available daily, free on-site parking and Coast Restaurant & Lounge for relaxed dining, drinks and evening meals throughout your stay.
Barrow-in-Furness
With nearly 7,000 performances across 27 countries in 40 years, King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys are one of the world's leading jump, jive and swing bands.
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