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Ulverston
can be found in the southern area of the Lake District close
to Morecambe Bay. You will find a warm welcome in this old
historic market town which offers its own charm to the visitor.
Ulverston gets its name from a Saxon landowner named Ulph.
After the Norman Conquest it became the property of the
monks at Furness Abbey. The town was a popular target for
raids from Scotland under Robert Bruce with the town being
burned twice, the town also suffered during the Civil War.
Ulverston was granted its first market chapter in the 13th
Century and on Thursdays and Saturdays can find the market
alive with stalls. Within the market town you will find
old buildings, narrow streets and cobbled streets which
gives the town its character along with its charming shops.
By the 18th Century the town's wealth had grown and had
become a lively port due to the Ulverston's Canal which
helped the iron-ore industry. Ships could go up the canal
and be loaded with the iron-ore and slate from the quarries.
The canal is the shortest in the country 1 mile [1.6km]
and was made redundant by the railways 50yrs later. The
town was also a stopping place for the mail coach from Lancaster
and the south has it crossed the sands of Morecambe Bay
to save time instead of using the roads.
Ulverston claim to fame is that it his the birth place of
Stan Laurel [thin one] in 1890. Here you will find the world's
only Laurel
& Hardy Museum in Upper Brook Street. Inside you
will discover photographs and relics of Laurel and his partner
Olive Hardy. Also there is a small film theatre showing
the films of the two in action.
The oldest building in Ulverston is the parish church of
St. Mary with parts of it dating from 1111. One particular
feature of the church is the splendid Norman door.
On top of Hoad Hill that overlooks the town there is a replica
of the Eddystone Lighthouse 90ft [27.4m] high. It is a monument
to Sir John Barrow who was geographer, explorer and who
founded the Royal Geographical Society whom was born in
Ulverston in 1764. The lighthouse plays no part in the help
to ships. The Monument is open to the public in the summer
when the flag is flying, you will also fine views across
Morecambe Bay and across the Lakeland Fells from Hoot Hill.
Close to Ulverston you will find interesting places like
Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands.
Clicking
on the various Level Maps below will show different map
views of Ulverston and District. Maps Courtesy of
Multi
Map.
County Level Map
Town Level Map
Street Level Map
