Wordsworth Country - Your guide to Barrow in Furness, Cumbria.

Barrow in Furness is Cumbria's largest town, standing on the Furness Peninsula. Barrow has long since shed the mantle of the world's largest steel centre, and with it's economy less dependent on the ship building industry, it has developed as the area's principle shopping hub. Diverse major named stores have moved in, and the new leisure complex provides facilities as good as you will find anywhere else in the county. The indoor market hall is a thriving area of stalls offering a wide variety of goods.

Barrow is one of the country's few planned towns; evidence of which is seen by the provision of wide main streets giving drivers and pedestrians adequate space.

Connected by a bridge to the town is the very often windy 10 mile stretch of Walney Island containing two of the most significant nature reserves in the country.
In the North Walney Nature Reserve, more than 130 species of birds have been identified, including the shank and knot. As well as the birds, this is a home of the rare Natterjack Toad, the rarest amphibian in the UK.
South Walney Nature Reserve was established in 1963 and is home to over 60,000 birds and the most southernly eider duck breeding colony in Britain.
A few miles north of Barrow on the southern side of the Duddon Estuary lies another nature reserve, Sandscale Haws. The reserve is one of the most botanically rich coastal sites in the UK with over 600 recorded species, including all six native amphibians.

The intriguing ruins of Piel Island's Piel Castle is reached by a short ferry journey from Roa Island. The original structure was commissioned by the monks of Furness Abbey to protect their trading interests on Walney Island. Built in 1327, it was a ruin by the 16th century and erosion by the sea has further reduced the the remains of a once formidible fortification.

Piel Island's, "Ship Inn", the only permanently occupied building on the island, has an interesting tradition. The incumbent landlord becomes the King of Piel. Inside the premises is an old oaken chair, and anyone who sits upon it becomes a Knight of Piel. The Knights duties are to buy everyone a drink, only smoke in moderation, be an ardent lover and be of good character. He gains the right to free board and lodge in the event of being shipwrecked!! The Kings duties, over and above that of "mine host" is to keep the island clean and tidy.

Furness Abbey, founded in 1123, became the second richest monastry in the country partly by dint of the monks trading operations on Walney island. The impressive ruins, a little way outside the town, convey a strong sense of history, further enhanced by an extensive exhibition centre and audio tour.

The Dock Museum, built over a dry dock, details the rapid industrial growth of the town from modest beginnings to a position of importance in only four decades.

The annual Festival of the Sea is a summer long festival, which features visits by tall ships, yacht regattas, events at the Dock Museum, Carnival, RNLI open days, Walking festival, cruiseship visits etc. The Main Event for 2006 will be the Barrow Festival of the Sea Shipyard Open day and Naval Celebration on 17 and 18 June. This is a magnificent spectacle not to be missed.
For full details of events, please visit, www.barrowtourism.co.uk

Barrow and the Furness Peninsula welcomes tourists, visitors and shoppers. You will not be disappointed by the shops, cafes, restaurants, places of historical interest, and last, but not least, our hospitality.

How to get there:

By rail: On the West Coast Main Line from London to Scotland, change at Preston or Carnforth and join the Furness Line for Barrow in Furness.
If travelling from Scotland, change at Carlisle for Barrow.

By road: Reach Barrow in Furness by leaving the M6 at J36 and follow signs for Barrow in Furness via Newby Bridge and Ulverston on the A590.

South Lakes Wild Animal Park
Crossgates, Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria. LA15 8JR
Phone: +44 (0)1229 466086
http://www.wildanimalpark.co.uk/

The Lake District 's only zoological park and is recognised as one of Europe 's leading conservation zoos.

North and South Walney Nature Reserves
Located on Walney Island, Barrow in Furness

The nature reserves include important flora and fauna, including the natterjack toad and eider duck.

Sandscale Haws Nature Reserve
Located on the southern side of the Duddon Estuary, 7 km north of Barrow-in Furness.

A mosaic of sand dunes, dune slacks, saltmarsh, shingle, grassland and freshwater marsh, supporting a variety of important flora and fauna.

Furness Owl Centre (Opening in April 2006)
Sowerby Woods, Barrow-in-Furness
http://www.furnessowls.co.uk

We hope to have over 100 owls on display. The centre, when opened, will have facilities for a family day out, including:- Children's play area, food outlet, picnic areas, education centre and toilets.

Barrow Park
Accessed from Abbey Road, Park Drive, Park Avenue and Greengate Street.

Set in 45 acres, escape the hustle and bustle of the town centre and visit Barrow Park for some peace and tranquillity!

Lazer Zone and Play Zone - Custom House, 1 Abbey Road.
Phone: +44 (0)1229 823823

Exciting and futuristic lazer tag facility. A combination of sport and modern technology.
PlayZone features learning and development through magical adventure play. Kids Indoor Adventure Play Centre.

Colony Gift Corporation
Lindal-in-Furness, Ulverston, Cumbria. LA12 0LD
Phone: +44 (0)1229 461102
Fax: (0)1229 461101

The UK's leading candle manufacturer and the most experienced producer of scented candles in Europe . The factory outlet is open to visitors.

Dock Museum.
Phone: +44 (0)1229 894444
http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/

The Museum has its own landscaped grounds which link to the Cumbria Coastal Way walking and cycle route. Free admission for all.

Furness Abbey
English Heritage, Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Phone: +44 (0) 1229 823420

Founded in 1123, this is the second largest Cistercian Abbey in England . The magnificent ruins, which are managed by English Heritage are set in a beautiful wooded valley - The 'Vale of Deadly Nightshade'.

The Abbey Tavern - Abbey Approach, Furness Abbey, Barrow in Furness
Phone: +44 (0)12298 25359

The Golden Village - 36 Dalton Road, Barrow in Furness
Phone: +44 (0)12294 30133

The Owl and Pussycat - Hindpool Road, Barrow in Furness
Phone: +44 (0)1229 824334
Fax. 01229 825712

Roundhouse - Biggar Bank Road Walney, Barrow in Furness
Phone: +44 (0)12294 73996

Pizzeria Italia - 9 Furness House Dalton Road, Barrow in Furness
Phone: +44 (0)12298 33268

Station Buffet - Barrow Station Abbey Road, Barrow in Furness
Phone: +44 (0)12298 34458

Barrow Angling Club and Furness Fishing Association
http://www.ffacoarse.org.uk/

Catering for and holding the fishing rights in local rivers, tarns and reservoirs.

Sea-fishing is excellent from the shoreline around Walney Island and from Piel Island . Some unique varieties of fish can be caught a few miles off the coast.

Park Vale Sports Centre - Walney Island
Phone: +44 (0)1229 473543.
http://www.bfsac.free-online.co.uk

Facilities include a 400-metre all-weather athletics track and facilities for netball, tennis, hockey, volleyball, rugby and football.

The Park Leisure Centre
Phone: +44 (0)1229 871146

'The Park' Leisure Centre is an innovative complex situated in Barrow Park, the leisure centre offers a number of excellent facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool and a free-form leisure pool with wave machine, flume and water cannons, a six-court sports hall, climbing wall and a large fitness suite.

Dalton Leisure Centre
Phone: +44 (0)1229 463125

Dalton Leisure Centre is a superbly equipped modern leisure centre with a 20-metre swimming pool, which includes a giant frog waterslide, glass-backed squash courts, a multi-purpose gym, cardio-vascular suite and other sports facilities.

Walking
touristinfo@barrowbc.gov.uk
http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk

Barrow and the neighbouring island of Walney , offer a selection of scenic walks. Channelside Haven is the gateway to the " Red Man Way ", a new coastal footpath running along Walney Channel. The Cistercian Way passes through the Town. Walney Greenway runs along the west coast of the island from Thorney Nook towards Earnse Bay.

The Walney to Wear Cycle Route
www.cyclingw2w.info/home

A new National Cycle Network Regional Route across the north
(The Cumbrian Cycle Way traverses the Furness peninsula.)

Horse Riding
Phone: +44 (0)1229 474251 or +44 (0)1229 475315

Furness Golf Centre
Phone: +44 (0)1229 465870

The Lakes Gliding Club
Phone: +44 (0)1229 821935 or +44 (0)1229 837494
http://www.lakesgc.co.uk

The Lakes Gliding Club, which operates from Walney Airport , can arrange trial flights for visitors. These usually take place on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10.00 a.m. onwards.

Cumbria All Terrain C.A.T ( UK ) Ltd - Greengate St. Barrow
Phone: +44 (0)1229 835463

One of the North West 's Premier 4X4 driver training centres, featuring landrovers or quad bikes. Bookings by the hour, half day or full day.

Hollywood Park
Offers a wide choice of leisure facilities, including:

Cannons Health Club - http://62.231.133.38/common/jsp/navd.jsp?PI=home

Top Ten Bingo - http://www.toptenbingo.co.uk

It has McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants. Nearby is the Owl and the Pussycat with its Wacky Warehouse Playbarn.

It also has the Apollo 6 screen multiplex cinema, the largest cinema in Cumbria.
www.apollocinemas.co.uk

Forum 28
Phone: +44 (0)1229 820000

An award-winning multi-purpose Arts Centre, which offers theatre, variety, regular popular shows, concerts and dancing.

Art Gene Gallery
Phone: +44 (0)1229 825085
www.artgene.co.uk

J C Taxis - 279 Rawlinson St , Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1DH
Phone: +44 (0)1229 823200

Acacia Cars - 54 Crellin St , Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1DS
Phone: +44 (0)1229 434343

Coastline – 109 Ramsden St , Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2BW
Phone: +44 (0)1229 430430

Barrow Cars Ltd - Ramsden Sq, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1LL Phone: +44 (0)1229 432432

Barrow Cars - Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1HU
Phone: +44 (0)1229 820005

A1 Cars (Barrow) Ltd - Hardy St , Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2HA
Phone: +44 (0)1229 838383

Barrow Cars - Salthouse Mills Ind Est/Salthouse Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 0DH
Phone: +44 (0)1229 870666

Avon Cars - Promenade, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3QE
Phone: +44 (0)1229 470777

Park Lane Travel - 4 Park Lane, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3JA
Phone: +44 (0)1229 471307

Dalton Cars - 78 Market St, Dalton-in-Furness, LA15 8DJ
Phone: +44 (0)1229 462499

Tudor Cars - Long La, Stainton With Adgarley, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 0NH
Phone: +44 (0)1229 466999

Capital Cabs (Dalton) Ltd - Nat West Bank Chambers/67 Market St, Dalton-in-Furness, LA15 8DL
Phone: +44 (0)1229 466758

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Abbey Road Baptist Church - Abbey Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5EY
Phone: +44 (0)1229 824597

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - New Meeting House, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9JY
Phone: +44 (0)1229 820050

Emmanuel Community Church - Dalton Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2HD
Phone: +44 (0)1229 431926

Holy Family Roman Catholic Church - Presbytery, Harrel Lane, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9LN
Phone: +44 (0)1229 824429

Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah's Witness' - Douglas Street, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3QQ
Phone: +44 (0)1229 837080

Orthodox - The Community of St Simon the Zealot - Dalton Cemetery Chapel, Dalton-in-Furness
Phone: +44 (0)1539-536379

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church - Lumley St, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2BA
Phone: +44 (0)1229 821498

St Aidan's Church of England Church - Middlehill, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9HD
Phone: +44 (0)1229 830445

St Columba's Roman Catholic Church - Presbytery, Margate St, Walney, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3AF
Phone: +44 (0)1229 471405

St George's Church Of England Church - 98 Roose Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9RL
Phone: +44 (0)1229 821641

St James' Church of England Church - Blake Street, Barrow-in-Furness
Phone: +44 (0)1229 821475

St John's Church Of England Church - James Watt Terrace, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2TS
Phone: +44 (0)1229 821101

St Luke's Church Of England Church - 98 Roose Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9RL
Phone: +44 (0)1229 821641

St Mark's Church Of England Church - Rawlinson Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1BX
Phone: +44 (0)1229 820405

St Mary's Church Of England Church - St. Mary's Vicarage/Promenade, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 3QU
Phone: +44 (0)1229 471268

St Mary's Roman Catholic Church - St. Mary's Presbytery/Duke St, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1XW
Phone: +44 (0)1229 820210

St. Mary's Parish Church - Vicarage, Market Place, Dalton-in-Furness, LA15 8AZ
Phone: +44 (0)1229 462526

St Matthew's & St Francis' Church of England Church - Highfield Road, Barrow-in-Furness
Phone: +44 (0)1229 823569

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church - Michaelson Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2RJ
Phone: +44 (0)1229 820621

St Paul 's Church Of England Church - Abbey Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA13 9JY
Phone: +44 (0)1229 821546

St Pius' Roman Catholic Church - St. Pius X Presbytery/Schneider Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 4AA
Phone: +44 (0)1229 820283

Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 31 Ulverston Road, Dalton in Furness, LA15 8EB
Phone: +44 (0)1229 462819

Spiritualists - Psychological Hall - Dalkeith Street, Barrow-in-Furness
Phone: +44 (0)1229 430174

Spring Mount Christian Fellowship - Spring Grove, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5LU
Phone: +44 (0)1229 832977

The Salvation Army - Citadel/Abbey Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5UD
Phone: +44 (0)1229 433550

Trinity Church Centre – Methodist - Warwick St, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 5AX
Phone: +44 (0)1229 833500

(C of E) St. Mary the Virgin (Walney Island)
Founded in 1577 but the present church was completed in 1930.

Nearest Buddhist Temple

Manjushri Mahayana Buddhist Centre - Conishead Priory, Ulverston, LA12 9QQ
Phone: +44 (0)1229 584029

Guru Nanak Gurdwara - Distribution House, Dover Rd, Warrington, WA4 1NW
Phone: +44 (0)1925 418208

Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation - Raikes Parade, Blackpool, FY1 4EX
Phone: +44 (0)1253 623687

Barrow in Furness information