Cruise into Barrow-in-Furness and sail into the gateway to the world famous English Lake District with its 16 major lakes cradled amongst majestic hills and mountains. Where else can you sail on England’s longest lake, view the highest mountain, discover the smallest church, climb aboard England’s oldest narrow-gauge steam train, enter the last working haematite mine and visit the world’s only Laurel and Hardy museum?
Situated on the North West coast of England, Barrow is the only deep water port between the Mersey and the Clyde. The Victorian town includes the magnificent ruins of the 12th Century Furness Abbey, the Portland Walk Shopping Centre and the Dock Museum displaying local maritime heritage. Shore itineraries can be tailored to meet your requirements. The more established themes are:
William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850): Enjoy a scenic drive from Barrow and visit the homes of the poet who was inspired by the dramatic scenery of the Lake District. Dove Cottage at Cockermouth was his birthplace and the home where he wrote most of his poetry, Rydal Mount, lying between Ambleside and Grasmere, was his final home and now boasts the Wordsworth Museum. You can also visit Wordsworth’s grave at Grasmere church and Ullswater, where the spring daffodils inspired his most famous poem.
Beatrix Potter: The Lake District was the inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s much loved characters such as Peter Rabbit and Friends. Take a short drive to Lake Windermere where you can catch an iron steamboat to visit the World of Beatrix Potter. At the picturesque village of Hawkshead you will see the Beatrix Potter Gallery and nearby the author’s home, Hill Top.
Stately Homes and Gardens: Visit Holker Hall, a stately home with award winning gardens, the world’s largest Slate Sundial and the Lakeland Motor Museum. Nearby is Levens Hall with its famous topiary gardens, Sizergh Castle with its limestone rock garden and Muncaster Castle’s rhododendrons and Owl Centre. From Brantwood, home of John Ruskin (1872 – 1900) there are special interest cruises on Coniston Lake, such as ‘Swallows and Amazons’ and ‘Campbell on Coniston’.
Religious Heritage: A short drive from Barrow takes you to Swarthmoor Hall, birthplace of Quakerism and Conishead Priory, a Buddhist centre with a unique new temple. In picturesque Cartmel is a 12th century priory, one of the few remaining pre-Reformation monastic churches. The Quaker Tapestry Exhibition, Furness Abbey and a number of the area’s stone circles complete the tour.
‘Barrow has over 30 fascinating visitor attractions within easy reach. Stately homes and gardens, museums, Piel Island’s King and castle, Furness Abbey, the historic homes of William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin, the only Laurel and Hardy museum and the splendours of the Lakes make Barrow a new and unique destination’, says Nick Ridehalgh, Port Manager at Barrow.
Cumbria Official Tourism Web Site
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