Sandwiched between the Lake District Fells, Morecambe Bay and the Duddon and Leven Estuaries, the Furness Peninsula is one of the regions gems. It is an area of lush farmland, hamlets, small villages and market towns, nature reserves and historical buildings extending from Ulverston, Broughton-in-Furness, Coniston, Hawkshead and the fringes of Lake Windermere to Barrow-in-Furness and Walney Island on the Irish Sea coast.
It's a place to walk, hike or cycle tracks and trails along stretches of unspoiled coastline, quiet country lanes or classic routes over and around the Furness Fells. Wildlife flourishes in the nesting and wintering grounds of Walney Islands two nature reserves which are situated at each end of a popular safe child friendly beach, and along a coastline which has remained much as Nature intended where various species of birds, moths, butterflies, the Natterjack Toad and grey seals nest, colonise and thrive.

As with much of the Lake District and Cumbria, The Furness Peninsula has fired the imagination of poets and writers to create verse, historical novels and much loved characters of children's books.
Here, on the tip of the Peninsula and connected to Barrow by the Jubilee Bridge is the fantasy island of Sodor, home to Thomas the Tank Engine, his friends, and the Fat Controller.
A few miles away in Hawkshead is a land of make-believe inhabited by Beatrix Potter's delightful small animals and not far beyond, the Walker and Blackett children sail Coniston Water to Wild Cat Island aboard their Swallow and Amazon dinghies.
The Ulverston based poet, Peter Loney, writes movingly of the Furness Peninsula and speaks of a coastline where “ foot prints, hoof prints and tyre tracks wait for obliteration by the tide”. However, time nor tide has erased centuries old relics of history of the Peninsula and whilst not always complete, are vivid and potent enough to remind of the influences of Vikings, Romans, Celts and Monks who each in turn have helped shape the character of the area.

There's both indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and all weathers including canoeing, kayaking, hang gliding, an award winning Wild Animal Park, pony trekking, museums, golf, fishing and the highly popular annual shows and events. Children will certainly not want to miss a trip on the Haverthwaite Steam Railway especially the Halloween Ghost Ride and the Santa Claus Christmas Special. Live music shows, comedy and drama in Barrows Forum entertainment complex is an enjoyable way to round off a day of sightseeing, or, take a leisurely meal of freshly prepared local produce and a glass of locally brewed ale in the relaxing atmosphere and convivial surroundings of one of the Peninsulas cosy pubs.

The Furness Peninsula, standing as it does on the edge of the Lake Distict National Park and comfortably within range of the joys of the Lake District and Cumbria's fells, coastal and lakes scenery and, with convenient road and rail connections, is a storehouse of diverse attractions and activities to suit all styles of holiday breaks.

Main Towns of Furness Peninsula
Barrow-in-Furness
The largest town on the Peninsula is a mix of traditional and modern shops and stores and has one of the largest indoor markets in the region. For more about Barrow, go to our towns and villages information page.

Ulverston
“The people of Furness in general and of Ulverston in particular are civil and well behaved to strangers, hospitable and humane” said Father Thomas West in 1774. This remains true to this day. Overlooked by the Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad Hill, Ulverston is a “festival” town, a market town of small stores, speciality shops and, birth place of Stan Laurel. More about Ulverston on our towns and villages information page.

Broughton-in-Furness
A charming old market town much favoured by visitors who arrive to explore and walk the beauty of the Duddon Valley and Estuary and the open spaces of the Furness Fells. More information on our towns and villages page.

Coniston
Another great favourite of walkers and hikers on the edge of Coniston Water and close to the much loved Tarn Hows. More on our towns and villages information page.

Hawkshead
Closely linked to William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, Hawkshead is a charming traffic free small town of whitewashed buildings, narrow streets, alleys, tea shops and traditional inns. More about Hawkshead on our towns and villages information page.

Dalton-in-Furness
A small market town and once the capital of Furness is well placed for visits to all parts of the Peninsula, Duddon Valley and the Lake District.

Askam-in-Furness
Small town now merged with Ireleth and close to wildlife areas designated as “Sites of special scientific Interest”.

Kirkby-in-Furness
One of the Peninsulas larger villages with fine views to the Duddon Estuary and the Furness and Lakeland Fells.

Lindal-in-Furness
Scene of when a 31 ton steam locomotive sank in a deep hole on a section of the Furness Railway in 1892. This was an event used as a storyline in a Thomas the Tank episode when Thomas, after tipping in to a hole is pulled to safety by Gordon The Big Engine.

Peninsula Attractions
Barrow Dock Museum. www.dockmuseum.org.ukBarrow Indoor Market. www.barrowbc.gov.uk

Dalton Castle. Stands above the town. Open from Easter to end of September on Saturdays.

Dalton Leisure Centre. www.daltonleisurecentre.co.uk

Furness Abbey. www.furnessabbey.org.uk

Furness Golf Club. www.furnessgolfclub.co.uk

Fishing. www.worklifebarrow.co.uk  www.ulverstonangling.org  Sea and freshwater.

Gleaston Water Mill. www.watermill.org.uk

Hang Gliding and Para Gliding. Contact Cumbria Soaring Club

Kayaking and Canoeing. www.duddoncanoeclub.org.uk

Laurel and hardy Museum. www.laurel-and-hardy.co.uk

Manjushri Meditation Centre. Conishead Priory near Ulverston.

Piel Castle. www.pielisland.co.uk

Pony Trekking. Lakeland Pack Ponies. Moss Side Farm near Broughton-in-Furness. Tel: 01229 716947.

Stott Park Bobbin Mill. Colton, near Ulverston. Tel: 0153 -531087 or contact Hawkshead Tourist Information Centre.

Wild Animal Park. Near Dalton-in-Furness. www.wildanimalpark.co.uk

Wind Surfing and Kitesurfing. www.northwestkitesurfing.co.uk   www.walneywindsurfing.co.uk