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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?
Buses to and through Broughton: X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
Offering peace and tranquillity, enclosed in 38 acres of glorious woodland, 5 Star rated Black Beck…
Celebrating the end of the Music Festival's 20th Anniversary - join us for a tea party with a twist…
Come and enjoy our botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Tea! Zoe’s created the sweet treats using some of…
The all-singing, all plucking Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain continues to break the mould with…
Buses to and through Ulverston: 6/6A Barrow - Dalton - Ulverston. 11 Barrow - Roa Island -…
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a…
Would you like to introduce your toddler or young child (under 5) to the joys of classical music?…
A Little Angel Theatre, The Lowry and Rose Theatre co-production Charlie Cook's Favourite…
This programme for lute and soprano is a celebration of love in all its forms, where poetry and…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
We welcome the Royal Northern Sinfonia back to Ulverston. Anthony Hewitt will perform Mozart's G…
Rhinos, Tigers, Giraffes, Lions and Bears living in the heart of the Lake District….this is…
With the legendary artistic twists that both Robert and Toyah are renowned for, they'll perform…
Our famous glass blowing experiences are back. Experience first-hand and close up, the extreme…
Co-produced by Cumbria Music Hub and Orchestras Live Cumbria Calling: Gaming Adventures Experience…
Explore the exotic space where science and magic meet with the magician-scientist-adventurer,…
Based in the centre of the brilliant old market town of Ulverston, Retro Rendezvous is a full…
The Music Festival opens with a Celebrity Recital by violinist Jennifer Pike, who at the age of…
A day "OUT" in Ulverston. Come as you are and be Celebrated. with Live entertainment and Family…
What is love? This programme is a celebration of love in all its forms, where poetry and song…
2 multi terrain runs following for most parts the Cumbrian coastal path
On arrival you will be greeted with a Shed One Fancy Frolic gin* and tonic before being guided…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 72
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Cumbria
Buses to and through Broughton:
X7 Barrow - Broughton - Millom - Haverigg.
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 reviewsCounty Square, Ulverston
Celebrating the end of the Music Festival's 20th Anniversary - join us for a tea party with a twist. Tango is a musical genre created around multiple influences. In this performance an Argentinian bandoneónist and Norwegian violinist will lead the…
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
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
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…
Queen Street
Buses to and through Ulverston:
6/6A Barrow - Dalton - Ulverston.
11 Barrow - Roa Island - Ulverston.
509 Askam - Kirkby-in-Furness - Ulverston.
538 Newby Bridge - Lakeside - Bouth - Ulverston.
X12 Coniston - Ulverston.
X6 Barrow - Ulverston -…
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
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.
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
This programme for lute and soprano is a celebration of love in all its forms, where poetry and song mingle together. From John Dowland to William Shakespeare, the music conveys a message as relevant today as it was 400 years ago.
Conishead Priory, Ulverston
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop and book store. Bring a picnic. Six minute woodland walk to beach.
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…
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
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
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 reviewsCounty Square, Ulverston
Co-produced by Cumbria Music Hub and Orchestras Live
Cumbria Calling: Gaming Adventures
Experience a concert of epic video game soundtracks live with The Manchester Video Game Orchestra!
With the games on screen, the orchestra will bring the…
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
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…
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…
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