Barrow-in-Furness: Gateway To The English Lakes District

Submitted by Ralph Grizzle on 29 January 2011 - 2:38pm

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Overview

On the edge of the English Lakes District, Barrow-in-Furness is situated in southern Cumbria, which is in northwest England, in the southwestern portion of the Furness peninsula.

Cruisers to this area will enjoy old-fashioned hospitality by town folk that are happy to see you. Don’t be surprised to see most of the town show up to wave you into port to the tunes of a live brass band.

The town once prospered due to industry, mining and shipbuilding. Now Barrow-in-Furness is seeing a revitalization with new development, which includes the 60-acre Waterfront Business Park in the dockside area.

Barrow-in-Furness can trace it’s roots to the Middle Ages. In 1123, King Stephen of England founded the Abbey of St Mary of Furness, known as Furness Abbey. The monks at the Abbey discovered iron ore deposits. Because of some monk ingenuity, the abbey prospered and became the second richest Cistercian abbey in England.

Speculator and iron dealer H.W. Schneider  gets credit for discovering large deposits of haematite, the mineral form of iron,  in 1850. Schneider and other key investors helped establish the infrastructure to support the transport of iron via rail and sea. Before long, Schneider built the largest steelworks in the world.

Barrow-in-Furness For Cruise Passengers

Management of port activity is the responsibility of Associated British Ports (ABP).

The Port of Barrow, the largest deep-water port between Liverpool and Scotland, refers to the enclosed dock system within the town of Barrow-in-Furness.

Cruise ships will berth in Ramsden Dock Basin. Passengers will debark approximately 1.4 miles from town center. There are complimentary shuttle buses to assist with transport to the center of town.

Do Not Miss

  • The Dock Museum is a great place to discover the social and industrial history of  the area. There are artifacts and displays that chronicle the rise of the tiny 19th Century hamlet to the world’s largest producer of steel and ship-building presence.
  • Opened in 1887, the  Town Hall is a central landmark. Try to get a peak at the impressive  oak-paneled Council Chamber. The Town Hall is one of many listed historic buildings in the borough.

  • Founded in 1123, Furness Abbey (Abbey of St Mary of Furness) is in ruin but well worth a look. The monks of the abbey helped shape the history of the town. The monks had heavy influence, land and ownership of mines. Henry VIII dissolved the Abbey in 1537.

Shore Excursions

Cruise passengers may make arrangements to visit attractions in town or nearby. Popular excursions allow exploration of nearby towns in the Furness peninsula area including outings to the nearby English Lakes District.

  • England’s only true mountain region is located in the Lake District National Park. The park covers 885 square miles and has more than 50 lakes. Lake Windermere is a popular lake destination.

  • Celebrated British author, Beatrix Potter drew inspiration from Lake Windermere. Visit the World of Beatrix Potter attraction and journey to see the village of Hawkshead, home of the Beatrix Potter Gallery and Hill Top, which the author called home.
  • Located 33 miles northeast of port, is Wordsworth country in Ambleside, close to Windermer Lake. Visit the historic home and garden of William Wordsworth at Rydal Mount & Gardens. And plan to see the Chapel of St Mary, which was built by Lady le Fleming, of Rydal Hall in 1824. William Wordsworth helped to choose the site, which was originally an orchard. Wordsworth was church warden from 1833-1834, and there is a memorial plaque to him.

Getting Further

  • Celebrate English heritage by visiting Piel Castle. Located at the southern tip of the Furness Peninsula, the castle was built around 1327. The only means of access is via the Roa Island ferry service or a guided walk across the sands at low tide.
  • Ulverston is an old market town. You can explore Swarthmoor Hall, birthplace of Quakerism or check out the new Buddhist temple at Conishead Priory, which was originally founded in 1160.
  • Other sights of interest include: Sir John Barrow Monument, commemorating the accomplishments of the town's namesake; or the The Laurel and Hardy museum, celebrating Ulverston-born Stan Laurel.
  • The historic market town of Dalton-in-Furness is a fun place to visit a traditional English Pub and to discover some relics of the area like Dalton Castle, built in stages between the 1330’s and 1350’s.