What to do in Barrow-in-Furness

The Lake District

A short drive away from Barrow-in-Furness, The Lake District is the perfect place for travellers looking for beautiful, scenic locations in the charming English countryside!

The Lake District is a region and national park in Cumbria, known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations. Market towns such as Kendal, Ambleside and Keswick on scenic Derwentwater are bases for exploring the area and home to traditional inns, galleries of local art and outdoor equipment shops.

For more information on The Lake District, please visit https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/.

Barrow AFC

Immerse yourself in heart-pounding SkyBet League Two action with Barrow AFC!

Founded on July 16th, 1901, the Club began playing competitive football in the Lancashire League at its first home ground ‘The Strawberry’. They then moved to a new ground at Ainslie Street in the town in September 1904. A further move to Little Park, Roose in March 1905 saw the Club enjoy their first success, winning promotion to Division One of the Lancashire Combination in 1908. The following year saw the Club move to its current home, Holker Street.

For ticketing, please visit https://barrowafc.seatlab.com/

Barrow Market Hall

With a wide variety of stalls from over 20 local traders, including gifts, services, clothing/shoes, food, electrical repairs and specialist handmade goods, the Market Hall is a must see!

Barrow’s original Victorian-style market was created in 1864 for the Furness Railway Company and then bought by Barrow Borough Council in 1874. Later, in 1903, Barrow Fish Market was built behind the Town Hall. The current Market on Duke Street was opened in June 1971 by The Queen. After receiving £16million Levelling Up funding works are due to get underway shortly to refurbish the Market and Town Centre.

For more information on Barrow Market Hall, please visit https://www.thebarrowmarket.co.uk/

Barrow Park

For a nice, relaxing stroll in the afternoon, visit Barrow Park. This 45-acre public park was designed in 1908 and was constructed in stages over the following two decades!

The park contains a large boating lake, mini railway, skate park, various playgrounds and The Park Leisure Centre. The Barrow Parkrun takes place within the park every Saturday. Large sections of Barrow Park were redeveloped in 2005 to include a new pavilion, café, bandstand and display glasshouse.

For more information on Barrow Park, please visit https://visitbarrow.org.uk/barrow-park/

The Coast Road

Enjoy a scenic and relaxing drive on The Coast Road, from Barrow to the picturesque market town of Ulverston, this 25 mile journey will help you unwind!

Linking Ulverston and Barrow is the scenic Coast Road with stunning views across Morecambe Bay. Winding past Roa Island, there are plenty of stops to make should you wish to; including The Old Mill Tea Rooms, Furness Abbey and Druid’s Stone Circle. On a clear day you will experience views across to Morecambe and Blackpool and you will even be able to spot Blackpool Tower.

For more information on The Coast Road, please visit https://visitbarrow.org.uk/coast-road/

The Dock Museum

Built over a 19th century dry dock in a channel-side location, The Dock Museum combines historical artefacts and incredible galleries to provide a family-friendly fun day out! 

The museum houses galleries exploring the history of the people and industries of the Barrow-in-Furness area, changing exhibitions, a gift shop and a café. Outside The Dock Museum is a sea themed playground, picnic tables, sculpture, lifeboat and Walney Channel.

For more information on The Dock Museum, please visit https://dockmuseum.org.uk/

Furness Abbey

Enjoy previously unseen views of the ruins of what was once the largest and wealthiest monastery in north-west England, and a favourite of artist JMW Turner and poet William Wordsworth!

Visitors can climb the night staircase, reconstructed on the site of the original which was used by medieval monks solely under the cloak of darkness. While excavating the grave of a prosperous medieval abbot, a hoard of medieval treasures was discovered at Furness Abbey. This discovery unearthed the first crozier (a staff with a crook on top) to be excavated in Britain in over 50 years and an impressive gemstone ring was also found. Both are now on display in the museum.

For more information on the Abbey, please visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/furness-abbey/

Furness Golf Club

Boasting the 3rd oldest links and the 6th oldest course in the country, Furness Golf Club is a must for everyone; from the golf enthusiasts to casual first-timers, a fantastic time awaits!

Founded in 1872 by migrant Scottish workers from Dundee, as a 6-hole course on Biggar Bank the course was later extended to a 9-hole and then developed into a 18-hole course. The first clubhouse was an old deck cabin, from one of the old Clan liners, which was placed at Sandy Gap Lane. The erection of the bridge across Walney Channel in 1908, replacing the ferry, added to the attraction of the club for an ever-widening public and plans for a new Clubhouse were put in hand.

To book a tee time, visit https://furness.hub.clubv1.com/visitors/TeeSheet?date=2024-07-01

Hoad Monument

Built in 1850 by public subscription as a memorial for Sir John Barrow. It can be seen from many miles and has become a symbol for Ulverston!

It stands on the 450 ft high summit of Hoad Hill overlooking Ulverston and Morecambe Bay. It is a Grade II listed building and is formally known as the Sir John Barrow Monument. It is built of limestone quarried from nearby Birkrigg Common. It was modelled on the earlier Eddystone Lighthouse built in 1759 by John Smeaton. The monument has an internal spiral staircase of 112 narrow steps leading to the lantern chamber, which has never had a functional light.

For more information on Hoad Monument, please visit https://ulverstoncouncil.org.uk/education/the-sir-john-barrow-monument/

Piel Castle

Accessible only via a small boat ferry, this 14th century fortress was built by the Abbot of Furness to guard Barrow-in-Furness against pirates and Scots raiders! 

Perched on the south-east tip of Piel Island, the imposing Piel Castle is visible from around Morecambe Bay. The site is dominated by the massive keep, which is enclosed by both an inner and an outer bailey, each bordered by a ditch and set with corner towers. The stone used to construct the castle was taken from the beach, although red sandstone was imported for architectural details.

For more information on Piel Castle, please visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/piel-castle/

South Walney Nature Reserve

With stunning views across Morecambe bay, this shingle island reserve is full of interest and a fantastic place for bird watching!

South Walney Nature Reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria. As well as the seals, come to see breeding eider ducks, great black-billed gull, oystercatcher, ringed plover, shelducks, owls, peregrines and rabbits. The reserve is easily accessible and the 130 hectares contains 3 walking trails, from 1.5-5km.

For more information on South Walney Nature Reserve, please visit https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/south-walney

Ulverston

Unwind in a stunning market town, complete with famous cobbled streets, a church built in 1111 and even a museum of it’s most adored alumni, Stan Laurel, all at Ulverston.

Festival-happy Ulverston knows how to celebrate events. The party capital of Furness hosts a series of specialist events throughout the year, where visitors also get the chance to sample the town’s wonderful collection of cosy pubs, traditional markets and cultural hotspots. Add in the colourfully rendered houses, cobbled streets and inviting side alleys and there’s enough of interest to keep you smiling for days.

For more information on Ulverston, please visit https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/explore/ulverston

Experience quality with St David Aparthotels, Barrow-in-Furness.

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