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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.
Surrounding the town is the gently rolling farmland of the Furness Peninsula. Along the seashore are some lovely coastal villages; Bardsea, Baycliff, Aldingham and Newbiggin, these all have stunning views over Morecambe Bay.
On the road into Ulverston, you’ll notice the prominent Sir John Barrow Monument at the top of Hoad Hill. The uphill climb to the monument is worth it for the breathtaking views over Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells.
Ulverston’s cafés, bars and restaurants reflect this truly unique, festival market town and wherever possible the menus use both local and seasonal produce.
Enter a different world of quirky cafés with certificates of excellence, selling homemade concoctions of oils, spices and pickles and all manner of other curiosities.
It’s an ideal time to browse while you’re waiting for your fabulous meal to arrive. Delicious Chowder, proper puddings with custard and all served up with a glass of cloudy lemonade. Or how about a visit to one of the cafes for breakfast? The full English is amazing with quality local bacon and sausages and then in the evening these excellent little cafes turn into Bistros, again offering the same superb standard of food. Sometimes you need to take your own alcohol with you, but this makes your meal excellent value for money.
Menus cater for Vegetarian and Gluten Free diets and many of the cafes/bistros are suitable for wheelchairs. But it’s not just the cafes which get all the glory here, there’s some pretty amazing pubs both in the town itself and in the surrounding villages of Lowick Green and Swarthmoor, where you’ll be offered deliciously inventive menus which go way beyond normal pub fayre. The service is spot on, while chefs are incredibly talented - and your superb food and cask ales are served amongst beautiful décor.
For a little unusual, how about an old converted barn turned bar and restaurant, the Cumberland pie is gorgeous and so is the local beer. Or if a traditional old English pub is your thing, complete with cosy fire, oak beams and Stan and Laurel memorabilia, then you’ve come to the ideal place for excellent food and ales kept in perfect condition.
For something a little bit continental, try one of the bistros offering beautiful Mediterranean tapas on small sharing plates, so you can try a selection of vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes, with explosions of different flavours and textures. Some of the bistros in Ulverston are tiny, but the atmosphere more than makes up for size, as does the quality of the food. And lastly but by no means least, Ulverston does fine dining impeccably. Cocktails in the gin parlour first and then off to the restaurant for a real taste sensation where you will be offered pure artistry - delicious food at its most creative.
The earliest signs of human life round here was on the limestone outcrops of Birkrigg Common and around Urswick, where finds dating back to the Bronze and Iron ages have been unearthed. At the time, much of the Furness Peninsula was covered with trees which were gradually felled over the centuries to create the patchwork of fields, farms and pockets of woodland that exists today.
After the Norman Conquest, Henry I granted the western forests of Furness and the whole of Walney Island to Stephen of Blois, crowned king of England in AD113, and the eastern section to William le Fleming. William's son, Michael, inherited the land in 1167 – as a result, it was known as the Manor of Muchland (Michael's land).
Ulverston was granted a market charter in 1280 by Edward I. Shortly afterwards, the Scots began raiding large parts of northern England in response to the king's attempts to quell Scotland and bring it under English rule. Large areas of Furness were devastated by the attacks, which prompted the building of several fortified buildings as defence.
It was after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537 that Ulverston came to prominence as a market town, whilst Dalton declined in importance. The fast-flowing Gillbanks Beck (now culverted under the town) provided water power for mills making cotton, paper, candles and other commodities. Goods including local iron ore and slates were taken by packhorse to loading bays at Ulverston, Bardsea and Baycliffe - a slow and laborious means of conveyance that was soon to be replaced by water transport.
By the 19th century, Ulverston was a thriving commercial port, exporting cotton from Ellers Mill, slate from Burlington Quarries, iron from its foundries, limestone from Stainton and leather from its numerous tanneries (there is still a Leather Lane in Ulverston). Other industries included brick making, paper manufacture and brewing beer. The malty aroma from Hartley's Brewery was a feature of the town until 1991, when it was bought out by Robinson’s, who moved production to Stockport.
Looking for something to do in Ulverson?
Our friends at Ulverston.com have Ulverston’s biggest Events Calendar which includes festivals, live music, community events, classes, club meetings, sports matches, pub quizzes, open days, etc.
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Bardsea - a lovely little village sitting on the coast road that takes you from Ulverston through to Barrow. The beach itself is mostly shingle and offers a wonderful view across the bay looking towards Heysham and Morecambe.
Gleaston - located between Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston, this beautiful village boasts of a 17th century Water Mill that has now become a tourist attraction. Moreover, the remains of Gleaston Castle are still visable.
Haverthwaite - the famous Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway runs between Haverthwaite on a 3.5 mile journey via Newby Bridge to Lakeside station on Lake Windermere, where you can pick up regular steamer services on Lake Windermere.
Newby Bridge - Newby Bridge is located at the foot of Lake Windermere and offers magnificent views into the heart of the Lake District. Spanning the River Leven, the bridge itself is a lovingly crafted crossing made from local stone.
Greenodd - The extensive broadleaved woodlands of the Rusland Valley have not always presented the tranquil scene they do today. Leven and Crake valleys acted as conduits for the transport of goods and materials and at their confluence is Greenodd.
Did you know?
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On arrival you will be greeted with a Shed One Fancy Frolic gin* and tonic before being guided…
The Festival's resident string players look forward to performing a rich and beautiful mix of…
Ulverston Methodist Church is a warm and inviting venue to usher in some eclectic late night music.…
The Telling presents I, Spie Centred around an extraordinary letter written by Renaissance…
Rhinos, Tigers, Giraffes, Lions and Bears living in the heart of the Lake District….this is…
The all-singing, all plucking Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain continues to break the mould with…
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. It is known as the cradle of…
Explore this landscape of contrasts - the soaring red sandstone ruins of Furness Abbey and the…
Based in the centre of the brilliant old market town of Ulverston, Retro Rendezvous is a full…
Located in the picturesque Duddon Valley near the market town of Broughton-in-Furness awaits the…
This unique programme - with Jess Dandy contralto, Neil Curry poet and Anthony Hewitt pianist - is…
A fascinating programme of works for piano by Liszt and Robert & Clara Schumann. We welcome back…
A Little Angel Theatre, The Lowry and Rose Theatre co-production Charlie Cook's Favourite…
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A day "OUT" in Ulverston. Come as you are and be Celebrated. with Live entertainment and Family…
Thornthwaite Farm is set amidst the beautiful scenery of the Woodland Valley. We have four…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
Tickets for the Pamper Afternoon are £20.00 each and can be purchased from the website link. All…
Velo Retro is ready for its 10th anniversary year. The only retro and vintage cycling event in the…
With the legendary artistic twists that both Robert and Toyah are renowned for, they'll perform…
Paris based Dave Bristow is a pianist and composer who is fast emerging as one of the most original…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
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County Square, Ulverston
What is love? This programme is a celebration of love in all its forms, where poetry and song gently mingle together to explore the complexity of this affection. From John Dowland to William Shakespeare, the music conveys a message as relevant today…
N Lonsdale Road, Ulverston
On arrival you will be greeted with a Shed One Fancy Frolic gin* and tonic before being guided through making your very own moisturising sugar scrub, soothing balm and essential oil lip balm. Afterwards, sit back and enjoy freshly baked scones,…
Ulverston
The Festival's resident string players look forward to performing a rich and beautiful mix of repertoire including: Paganini's less known highly melodic and beautiful string music and works by De Fella showcasing the cello and the guitar.
Ulverston
Ulverston Methodist Church is a warm and inviting venue to usher in some eclectic late night music. Join our resident string players for a twilight immersion in the world of Osvaldo Golijov - one of the most successful composers of this century.
County Square, Ulverston
The Telling presents
I, Spie
Centred around an extraordinary letter written by Renaissance composer/lutenist John Dowland to spymaster Sir Robert Cecil in 1595, this spell-binding concertplay (where music and theatre collide) by award-winning writer…
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!
County Square, Ulverston
The all-singing, all plucking Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain continues to break the mould with a programme of new tunes as well as old classics. A witty, irreverent, joyful, foot-stomping celebration of rock & roll and melodious light…
Ulverston
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. It is known as the cradle of Quakerism as the movement was founded here almost 400 years ago. Visitors can relax in our cosy cafe or browse for something special in our gift shop.…
ULVERSTON
Explore this landscape of contrasts - the soaring red sandstone ruins of Furness Abbey and the industrial heritage of Barrow, all rounded off with a spot of island hopping.
Ulverston
Based in the centre of the brilliant old market town of Ulverston, Retro Rendezvous is a full weekend of fabulous retro fun. Music, food, dance, clothes, markets, vintage cars, scooters, motorcycles, and the famous Velo Retro old school cycling…
Duddon Bridge, Broughton-in-Furness
Located in the picturesque Duddon Valley near the market town of Broughton-in-Furness awaits the stylish Cow Barn. With 3 sunny bedrooms, a modern airy interior, cosy log-burner & pretty garden, it’s the ideal base for a break in the Lakes
County Square, Ulverston
Explore the exotic space where science and magic meet with the magician-scientist-adventurer, trained by US magic legends Penn & Teller.
With over a decade of Edinburgh Fringe sell-outs, performances around Europe and tours of Australia, Kevin…
Ulverston
The Music Festival opens with a Celebrity Recital by violinist Jennifer Pike, who at the age of twelve became the youngest ever winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year. She is joined by Martin Roscoe in a beautifully balanced programme including…
County Square, Ulverston
This unique programme - with Jess Dandy contralto, Neil Curry poet and Anthony Hewitt pianist - is a rich tapestry of the ways in which people have interacted with the North over the last two millennia, industrially, creatively, spiritually,…
County Square, Ulverston
Ulverston International Music Festival
Celebrity Recital: Jennifer Pike & Martin Roscoe
Jennifer first gained international recognition in 2002, when, aged 12, she became the youngest-ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year and the…
Ulverston
A fascinating programme of works for piano by Liszt and Robert & Clara Schumann. We welcome back Daniel Lebhardt to the Music Festival who played to a spellbound audience when he performed a year ago.
County Square, Ulverston
A Little Angel Theatre, The Lowry and Rose Theatre co-production
Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
Based on the original book Charlie Cook's Favourite Book - written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Charlie loves reading. Especially…
Ulverston
We, Andy & Zoe Arnold-Bennett, launched Shed One from our 7x7 foot Garden Shed in 2016. After renovating the The Old Calf Shed, just a stone’s throw away, we moved the distillery and opened our Shop, Bar and Visitor Attraction in 2019.
Ulverston
Offering peace and tranquillity, enclosed in 38 acres of glorious woodland, 5 Star rated Black Beck Holiday Park is nestled in the heart of Britain's Lake District, near Bouth. Black Beck provides the perfect setting for short breaks and extended…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
63 reviewsCumbria
The Cumbria Way runs through the heart of the Lake District, from the attractive market town of Ulverston on the shores of Morecambe Bay, to the historic city of Carlisle close to the Scottish Border, passing through some of the finest scenery of…
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