Shopping in Barrow

On the southern tip of Cumbria, Barrow awaits. This coastal town boasts the stunning backdrop of Lake District mountains to one side, and the sea to the other. As well as its striking location, it’s also packed with great places to shop, from local independents to national names; as well as markets and pop-up stalls. If you’re in the mood to treat yourself (or someone else!), read on for our guide to shopping in Barrow.

Independent stores

Support local with a visit to one of Barrow’s many fantastic independents. The town centre’s streets are bursting with speciality retailers selling everything from haberdashery and vintage clothing, to comics and board games. Friendly staff are always happy to help, so if you’re after something in particular and a warm welcome, then Barrow is the place to be!

Take a walk along Portland Walk and Dalton Road to discover big name brands like Waterstones, New Look and JD Sports, as well as wonderful independents including Pretty and Personal Prints, and Expressions. Barrow’s high street is a vibrant mix of stores, and there is so much to discover.

Also in the town centre, Cavendish St, Scott St, Buccleuch St, Crellin St and Rawlinson St are all packed with fantastic local businesses. Discover gorgeous homeware at Bumblee at the Hive; vinyl records at TNT Records; vintage clothing at Rose Vintage & Retro; comics both old and new at Atomic Comica; gifts at Special Occasions; and so, so much more.

Indoor market

Barrow’s Indoor Market is a must visit: it’s one of the largest indoor markets in Cumbria, and is packed with over 50 stalls. Variety, value for money and fantastic customer service are all cornerstones of this town institution, popular with locals and visitors alike.

Located in the town centre, you’ll find everything from international cuisine to floristry amidst the many brilliant stalls. The friendly shop owners are always on hand to help, and offer service with a smile - in true Cumbrian style!

When it comes to foodie finds, this is the place to be. The Hairy Bikers loved visiting on their road trip around the north of England, and with so much to discover it’s not hard to see why. The market was even named in the top ten of Britain’s favourite markets at the 2022 Great British Market Awards!

Barrow Market Hall is open from 9am - 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; an outdoor market opens on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Townhouse 211

Refuel

Once you’ve shopped ‘til you’ve dropped, it’s time to relax at one of Barrow’s brilliant cafes. There are plenty of places to refuel over coffee and cake, or something a little more substantial - how about smashed avo on home baked sourdough; award winning pies; or a delicious pizza?

Dalton in Furness

The friendly town of Dalton in Furness is a great place to enjoy a stroll along the high street and discover independent shops and eateries, from florists to milkshakes! While there, discover the town’s history and heritage - artist George Romney was born here, while in the town centre you can see a Pele Tower by the name of Dalton Castle.

Just outside of the town centre, Charnley’s Home & Garden Centre stocks a great variety of garden and homeware, from furniture to gifts, plants to homeware, and so much more. The onsite cafe is well worth a visit for a brew and home made cake once you’ve finished shopping.

Useful Info

Parking: Plenty of parking is available in Barrow-in-Furness town centre. A ‘Free After Three’ scheme offers free parking after 3pm at Barrow’s multi-story and Whittaker Street car parks. In Barrow Borough Council car parks, parking is free on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

In Dalton-in-Furness, there are three free car parks: Tudor Square, Nelson Street, and Lime Street.

Public Transport: Both Dalton and Barrow-in-Furness town centres are well served by public transport: there are bus links and a train station in each.

Please support local shops by following HM Government COVID-19 safety guidelines when you visit. Enjoy your visit and stay safe!

The Welcome Back to High Streets Project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and HM Government as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.