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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?
A Little Angel Theatre, The Lowry and Rose Theatre co-production Charlie Cook's Favourite…
Would you like to introduce your toddler or young child (under 5) to the joys of classical music?…
Two fantastic performances, with a two-course lunch designed by Base Head Chef Mark Setterthwaite.…
Ulverston International Music Festival Celebrity Recital: Jennifer Pike & Martin Roscoe Jennifer…
A celebration of French chamber music on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. No…
On arrival you will be greeted with a Shed One Fancy Frolic gin and tonic before being guided…
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. It is known as the cradle of…
Paris based Dave Bristow is a pianist and composer who is fast emerging as one of the most original…
We, Andy & Zoe Arnold-Bennett, launched Shed One from our 7x7 foot Garden Shed in 2016. After…
With the legendary artistic twists that both Robert and Toyah are renowned for, they'll perform…
Come and enjoy our botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Tea! Zoe’s created the sweet treats using some of…
Sandarac Productions Limited presents The Floyd Effect – Dark Animals Tour Dark Animals Tour…
2 multi terrain runs following for most parts the Cumbrian coastal path
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a…
Our famous glass blowing experiences are back. Experience first-hand and close up, the extreme…
Offering peace and tranquillity, enclosed in 38 acres of glorious woodland, 5 Star rated Black Beck…
Our debut at Cartmel Priory – a magnificent setting for two large-scale choral works – marks…
Velo Retro is ready for its 10th anniversary year. The only retro and vintage cycling event in the…
We welcome the Royal Northern Sinfonia back to Ulverston. Anthony Hewitt will perform Mozart's G…
Tickets for the Pamper Afternoon are £20.00 each and can be purchased from the website link. All…
Mark Lundquist Productions The Simon & Garfunkel Story Direct from a weeklong run in London's West…
Buses to and through Ulverston: 6/6A Barrow - Dalton - Ulverston. 11 Barrow - Roa Island -…
What is love? This programme is a celebration of love in all its forms, where poetry and song…
We offer a variety of Bushcraft experiences that will delight and inspire the youngest to the…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 72
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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
Would you like to introduce your toddler or young child (under 5) to the joys of classical music? Using mime, singing, dancing, movement and simple listening, we will encourage your child to engage with music in an imaginative and interactive way.
Ulverston
Nicholas Daniel OBE has long been acknowledged as one of the world's great oboists and is one of Britain's best-known musicians. Here he joined by frequent collaborator Huw Watkins, notable too for his renown as a pianist and composer. Performing a…
Ulverston
Two fantastic performances, with a two-course lunch designed by Base Head Chef Mark Setterthwaite. It begins with music at the SJB Monument which will be filled with floating melodies for voice, strings and woodwind. Followed by a short walk to Ford…
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…
County Square, Ulverston
A celebration of French chamber music on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. No other composer quite epitomises the idea of French music in the way that Debussy's does, his style a deliberate disassociation from the more rigid…
N Lonsdale Road, Ulverston
On arrival you will be greeted with a Shed One Fancy Frolic gin and tonic before being guided through blending your unique essential oil fragrance and candle making. Afterwards, sit back and enjoy freshly baked scones and cakes, tea and coffee.
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.…
County Square, Ulverston
Paris based Dave Bristow is a pianist and composer who is fast emerging as one of the most original and talented jazz musicians in Europe. His main project is the Dave Bristow Quintet for which he write all the compositions. They're s sonic tour de…
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.
County Square, Ulverston
With the legendary artistic twists that both Robert and Toyah are renowned for, they'll perform Toyah hits It's A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, plus many much-loved gems, including Heroes, Rebel Yell, Slave To The Rhythm, Are You Gonna Go My Way,…
Ulverston
Come and enjoy our botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Tea! Zoe’s created the sweet treats using some of the botanicals we use to make our gins & vodkas. A welcome tipple awaits you, followed by a distillery tour by the owners and distillers, Andy & Zoe.…
County Square, Ulverston
Sandarac Productions Limited presents
The Floyd Effect – Dark Animals Tour
Dark Animals Tour 2024-5
Two of Pink Floyd's finest albums, complete and unabridged… and more
Was Animals the darkest Pink Floyd album ever recorded? Drawing upon material…
Millom
2 multi terrain runs following for most parts the Cumbrian coastal path
Ulverston
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a relaxed spirits tasting in our stylish visitor bar.
Ulverston
Our famous glass blowing experiences are back. Experience first-hand and close up, the extreme temperatures required to transform sand into glass and learn some of the 2000 year old skills first developed by the ancient Romans. During this…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
216 reviewsUlverston
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 reviewsCounty Square, Ulverston
Our debut at Cartmel Priory – a magnificent setting for two large-scale choral works – marks Fauré's centenary year, with his Requiem, perhaps the most consoling Requiem of all time. The Garden of Proserpine, completed in 1899 was Vaughan Williams'…
Ulverston
Velo Retro is ready for its 10th anniversary year. The only retro and vintage cycling event in the English Lake District, where for one weekend, steel vintage bikes rule and retro cycling jerseys are cool!
County Square, Ulverston
We welcome the Royal Northern Sinfonia back to Ulverston. Anthony Hewitt will perform Mozart's G major piano concerto and Maja Bogdanović Saint Saëns cello concerto no.1 in A minor. The evening ends with a flourish with Beethovan's symphony no. 7 in…
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