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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 60km of 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.
What to do
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. Families will also love the nearby Safari Zoo at Dalton-in-Furness. Home to over 1000 of the rarest and most endangered species, the zoo’s collection is housed in unique natural environments which enable you to get as close as physically possible to some amazing creatures.
Barrow has a wealth of heritage buildings including Piel Castle and an imposing Victorian town hall. But you can’t come to Barrow without paying a visit to the impressive remains of Furness Abbey, which are located on the outskirts of town in an area once known as the ‘Vale of Nightshade’. The abbey was completed in 1123 and passed to the Cistercians in 1147, becoming the second richest and most powerful abbey in England. It is now managed by English Heritage.
Stay a while longer and enjoy some retail therapy. Barrow’s indoor market (open Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday) is the largest in Cumbria and recently featured on the Hairy Bikers Go North BBC2 series. The town centre is home to a surprising array of quirky independent retailers who offer a friendly welcome and helpful customer service.
The surprises just keep on coming! For all its industrial heritage in 2016 Barrow-in-Furness was rated the ‘Number 1 Borough in England’ for natural heritage assets by The Royal Society of Arts & Industry. For nature lovers, a visit to Walney is a must. And it’s not just birds to spot but an abundance of wildlife, including Grey (Atlantic) seals, thanks to its two nature reserves.
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.
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 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, as mentioned earlier, 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
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.
Did you know?
Piel CastleThis 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.- Furness AbbeyFounded in 1127 Furness Abbey was one of the wealthiest Cistercian abbeys in England until it was ‘dissolved' by Henry VIII in 1537.
- Dalton CastleThe 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.
- Leading LightsThe 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.
- The Barrow BlitzDuring World War II, Barrow was targeted by the Germans because of its ability to build warships and submarines.
- Housewife, 49Victoria 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.
Highlights
Bright, modern hotel in the heart of Barrow in Furness with free WI-FI and breakfast included..
Have this special coastal nature reserve all to yourselves for an after-hours adventure! Track…
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to…
Claire Henry presenter We're inviting you to come along and join the Musical Professors in their…
You will find a diverse range of events and activities at The Forum, as we again aim to bring…
BarrowFull is an arts organisation led by Barrow-based partners with the aim of increasing…
South Walney isolated position on the southern tip of Walney Island makes it a special place for…
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…
Programme to feature works by De Falla, Handel and Vaughan Williams. Claire Henry…
Domingo Hindoyan conductor Members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Ever wondered…
Beethoven Violin Concerto Beethoven Symphony No.3, 'Eroica' Domingo Hindoyan conductor Veronika…
Express Bar & Lounge serving International cuisine, ranging from pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches…
We are delighted to announce in light of the main auditorium being closed that we will be turning…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
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Number of results: 22
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Address
Holiday Inn Express Barrow-in-Furness, an IHG Hotel, Market St, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2LETelephone
01229 444600Barrow-in-Furness
Bright, modern hotel in the heart of Barrow in Furness with free WI-FI and breakfast included..
Tourism For All
Address
5-15 Dalkeith St, Barrow-in-Furness, CUMBRIA, LA14 1SPTelephone
07527366984Barrow-in-Furness
Here Comes The Girls - 3 of the top female tributes in the UK for one night and with a pie and pea supper, all for an amazing night of fun!
Address
South Walney Nature Reserve, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 3YQBarrow-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.
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
Cumbria, Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA142PWTelephone
01229876400Barrow-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…
Address
Ramsden Square, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1LLTelephone
01229 820000Barrow-in-Furness
Claire Henry presenter
We're inviting you to come along and join the Musical Professors in their laboratory! Claire Henry will work with their musicmaking machines to create musical experiments with players from our Orchestra. These concerts…
Address
The Forum, 28 Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1HHTelephone
01229 820000Barrow-in-Furness
You will find a diverse range of events and activities at The Forum, as we again aim to bring exciting entertainment to Barrow-in-Furness. There should be something for everyone during the current season and we are very proud to welcome…
Address
Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1HHTelephone
07787417838Barrow-in-Furness
The Manchester Bee Monument will be visiting Barrow from the 4th - 22nd November 2024. The Bee will be placed outside Barrow Town Hall on Duke Street. The Bee is an anti-violence monument made from guns and knives handed in from amnesty's in…
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…
Address
Hawcoat Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA144HFTelephone
01229 825000Barrow-in-Furness
Following the jolly success of last year, we're over the moon to invite you all to Another Local Christmas Market at Hawcoat Park!
Just like our inaugural event, we'll have a delightful array of local stall holders and food trucks, featuring a…
Address
Coastguard Cottages, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 3YQTelephone
01229 471066Barrow-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.
Address
The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2PWTelephone
01229 876400Barrow-in-Furness
Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the social and industrial history of the Furness area. The museum is a great day out for all with a popular playground, attractive Channelside walks, cafe…
Tourism For All
Address
Abbey House Hotel & Gardens, Abbey Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0PATelephone
01229 838282Barrow-in-Furness
A Premium Hotel & Wedding Venue based in Barrow in Furness in Cumbria. Set in 14 acres of private woodland and gardens with 59 beautifully decorated rooms with a rosette acclaimed Bar & Restaurant, Oscar's. It's one of the Lake Districts hidden gems…
Tourism For All
Address
Ramsden Square, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1LLTelephone
01229 820000Barrow-in-Furness
Programme to feature works by De Falla, Handel and Vaughan Williams.
Claire Henry presenter
Members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra perform a concert of popular classics. This programme has been designed to be an informal, engaging…
Address
The Forum, The Forum, 28 Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1HHTelephone
01229 82000028 Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness
Domingo Hindoyan conductor
Members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic OrchestraEver wondered what a conductor does? As part of Barrow's Festival of Colours, come meet Venezuelan maestro Domingo Hindoyan and members of the Royal Liverpool…
Address
The Forum, The Forum, 28 Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1HHTelephone
01229 82000028 Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness
Beethoven Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No.3, 'Eroica'Domingo Hindoyan conductor
Veronika Eberle violinLudwig van Beethoven saw red when his hero Napoleon betrayed the revolution, tearing up the score of his Eroica symphony. That same…
Address
Barrow Park, Abbey Road, Barrow in Furness, Barrow, Cumbria, LA13 9BDTelephone
07706166787Barrow in Furness, Barrow
Full of Noises is showing two films made by autistic filmmakers.
See The Stimming Pool and A Brief History of Circles on Sunday 17 November - doors 2pm.
The Stimming Pool is a unique work exploring a world shaped by neurodiverse perspectives.…
Address
The Forum, 28 Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1HHTelephone
01229 820000Barrow-in-Furness
We are delighted to announce in light of the main auditorium being closed that we will be turning the Grasmere and Rydal suite at The Forum theatre Barrow into a 200 seater intimate theatre named, 'The Platform 28 Theatre' this Christmas with a…
Address
Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 9BDTelephone
01229 876564Barrow-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!
Address
West Shore Park, Walney, BARROW-IN-FURNESS, Cumbria, LA14 3YTBARROW-IN-FURNESS
West Shore car park provides free parking, an ideal place to do lovely coastal walks and the North walney nature reserve is well worth a visit too.
Address
Sandy Gap, Walney Island, Cumbria, LA14 3JPWalney 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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