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Barrow-in-Furness Morecambe Bay

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Barrow-in-Furness

With the sea on one side 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 wealth of wide, tree-lined streets lined with sandstone buildings (including a particularly imposing town hall) are evidence of the town’s 19th century prosperity as one of the country’s major shipbuilding centres.

For centuries Furness was part of Lancashire and being an isolated northern outpost it was left quietly undisturbed until the mid-19th century, in fact 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.

Culture & Heritage

Barrow has come a long way since it was first occupied by the Vikings (the Romans, oddly, just bypassed the place altogether). The Vikings’ legacy is in placenames like North Scale (from ‘skali' - Norse for summer dwelling), Biggar (from ‘bygg gar' meaning barley field) and Roa (red island).

The establishment of Furness Abbey in 1127 had a major impact on the area. By the early 13th century, the abbey 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.

Surrounding Areas

Askham-in-Furness - Askham 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.

Did you know?

The Barrow Blitz
During World War II, Barrow was targeted by the Germans because of its ability to build warships and submarines.
Housewife, 49
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.
Dalton Castle
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.
Furness Abbey
Founded in 1127 Furness Abbey was one of the wealthiest Cistercian abbeys in England until it was ‘dissolved' by Henry VIII in 1537.
Leading Lights
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.
Piel Castle
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.

Highlights

Express Bar & Lounge at Holiday Inn Express Barrow - South Lakes

Express Bar & Lounge serving International cuisine, ranging from pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches…

Barrow Public Park

Set in 45 acres, Barrow's award-winning park provides the perfect place to stroll on sunny…

Cistercian Way

Grange over Sands to Roa Island (Barrow). A walk of 33 miles that follows the low hills of…

W2W Cycle route Walney to Wear

A 160 mile cycling adventure across the Lake District Peninsulars, North Pennines and Land of the…

The Dunes Hotel

The Dunes hotel consists of 40 rooms in total; all rooms are designed with our guests and their…

South Walney Nature Reserve

A wild, exposed coastal reserve with thousands of breeding seabirds, wintering birds, grey seals…

Holiday Inn Express Barrow - South Lakes

Bright, modern hotel in the heart of Barrow in Furness with free WI-FI and breakfast included..

The Townhouse.211

Stunning boutique hotel in the centre of Barrow in Furness with 12 luxury studio style rooms and a…

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

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Barrow Dino Day

Address

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

Telephone
07955816000

manager@barrowbid.co.uk

On Saturday 22nd August Dinosaurs will be roaming the streets of Barrow town centre. This family-friendly, FREE event will see a wide range of dinosaurs and themed activities in the heart of Barrow.
Children will love this Roarsome event.

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Barrow Public Park

Address

Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 9BD

Telephone
01229 876564

gardensandparks@barrowbc.gov.uk

Barrow-in-Furness

Set in 45 acres, Barrow's award-winning park provides the perfect place to stroll on sunny afternoons. Barrow Park..... always something going on, always something growing on!

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Safari Zoo

Address

Melton Terrace, Lindal in Furness, Cumbria, LA12 0LU

Telephone
01229 466086

ENQUIRIES@CUMBRIAZOO.CO.UK

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!

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Cistercian Way

Address

-

website@cumbriatourism.org

Grange over Sands to Roa Island (Barrow). A walk of 33 miles that follows the low hills of Carboniferous Limestone that fringe the northern shores of Morecambe bay. An area rich in history, noted for its monastic connections, especially Furness…

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W2W Cycle route Walney to Wear

Address

-

website@cumbriatourism.org

A 160 mile cycling adventure across the Lake District Peninsulars, North Pennines and Land of the Prince Bishops. The route is part on public roads and part on traffic free sections.

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The Dunes Hotel

Address

Hawthwaite Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 4QW

info@theduneshotel.co.uk

Barrow-in-Furness

The Dunes hotel consists of 40 rooms in total; all rooms are designed with our guests and their comfort and needs in mind.

More Details
South Walney Nature Reserve

Address

Coastguard Cottages, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 3YQ

Telephone
01229 471066

mail@cumbriawildlifetrust.org

Barrow-in-Furness

A wild, exposed coastal reserve with thousands of breeding seabirds, wintering birds, grey seals and coastal Flora. Four miles of trail and 8 hides give amazing views of Morecambe Bay.

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Holiday Inn Express Barrow - South Lakes

Address

Market Street, Barrow in Furness, LA14 2LE

hello@hiexbarrowinfurness.co.uk

Barrow in Furness

Bright, modern hotel in the heart of Barrow in Furness with free WI-FI and breakfast included..

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Festival of Transport

Address

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

Telephone
07955816000

manager@barrowbid.co.uk

The Barrow Festival of Transport is a celebration of motorised vehicles past and present. The event attracts cars, motorcycles, scooters, buses, trucks and even a ride on train to Barrow's town centre streets. Also hosts kid's activities.

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The Townhouse.211

Address

211-215 Dalton Road, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1PH

Telephone
01229 834519

info@thetownhousebarrow.co.uk

Barrow in Furness

Stunning boutique hotel in the centre of Barrow in Furness with 12 luxury studio style rooms and a brasserie restaurant and bar.

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
280 reviews
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West Point House

Address

Solway Drive, Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 3XN

Telephone
01229472356

info@westpointhousewalney.com

Barrow-in-Furness

West Point House self catering accommodation for groups, or large families with 36 bedrooms and lots of space. Private parking and lovely walled garden, a 7 minute walk to the beach and stunning natural environment.

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Furness Abbey

Address

Abbey Approach, Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0PJ

Telephone
01229 823420

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Barrow-in-Furness

Impressive red sandstone remains with ornately decorated chapter house. Once the second most prosperous Cistercian abbey in England.

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Bay Cycle Way

Address

Sandy Gap, Walney Island, Cumbria, LA14 3JP

Telephone
01539 734888

info@morecambebay.org.uk

Walney Island

NCN 700 – From Walney Island near Barrow to Glasson Dock, Lancaster, this cycle route takes in breathtaking scenery of Morecambe Bay spectacular coastline, quiet roads, greenways, canal towpaths and promenades.

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Askam-in-Furness Train Station

Address

Dudden Road, Askham, Cumbria, LA16 7EN

Askham

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