Vintage

Barrow-in-Furness is a large industrial town which grew from a tiny 19th Century hamlet to the biggest iron and steel centre in the world, and a major ship-building force, in just 40 years. The railway was introduced to carry iron-ore, slate and lime-stone to the new deep water port. Its prosperity grew with the development of the steel and ship-building industries.

The monks of Furness Abbey smelted iron with wood in the 13th Century. In 1839 H.W. Schneider (who later had a home at Bowness-on-Windermere and commuted to Barrow-in-Furness via steam yacht and rail) came as a young speculator and dealer in iron. In 1850 he discovered large deposits of iron, and he erected blast furnaces at Barrow-in-Furness, which by 1876 formed the largest steelworks in the world.

The population grew from 300 inhabitants to over 8,000 in 1864. James Ramsden, superintendent of the Railway, devised a plan for the town. There are few planned towns in England , and fewer still in the 19th Century. The wide tree lined streets to this day convey a sense of space and ease. Ramsden became the first Mayor of Barrow-in-Furness. Ramsden also conceived the idea of the Barrow Shipbuilding Company, which became Vickers in 1897. It is now the busiest shipyard in England , with the largest covered ship building hall in Europe . By 1881 the population had jumped to 47,000, reaching a peak of 74,000 in 1931, but has dropped now.

Walney Island is reached by a bridge from Barrow Docks. It is a 10 mile long island, reputedly the windiest lowland site in Britain , containing two important Nature Reserves. The North Nature Reserve has an area for preserving Britain 's rarest amphibian, the Natterjack Toad. Over 130 species of bird have also been recorded there. The South Nature Reserve has the largest nesting ground of Herring Gulls and Lesser Black Backed Gulls in Europe .

The Dock Museum is a spectacular modern museum built over an original Victorian Graving Dock, where you can explore the fascinating history of Barrow-in-Furness .  

Furness Abbey was one of the richest Cistercian monasteries in England , exceeded only by Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire . The soaring ruins of red sandstone soak up the grandeur of this 700 year old site. Located in a peaceful valley, the majestic remains of Furness Abbey once housed the flourishing community of a wealthy order. With the aid of an audio tour, or the comprehensive guidebook you can walk around the many buildings with made up the Abbey, including the Precint and Outer Court, the Church with its North and South Transept and Tower, the Cloister Court, Chapter House, the dormitory, infirmary and kitchen. The careful planning of water supplies and drainage channels is especially evident here, with a water course running through the site, under the kitchen building, and the toilets. The Abbey developed a harbour on Walney Island to promote its trade in wool and iron, and built a castle at Piel for protection. At Dalton in Furness, nearby, is a 14th Century Pele Tower , Dalton Castle , which was used by the Abbey as an administrative centre and court house. The visitor centre houses an education centre and an extensive exhibition about the history of the Abbey. Various pieces of stone from the Abbey have been placed here for protection. An audio tour taking you round the Abbey is available.

Between Walney Island and Barrow-in-Furness is the tiny Piel Island, on which is Piel Castle, built by the monks of Furness Abbey to protect their harbour from the Scots. It can be reached by a ferry from Roa Island , a few miles south-east of Barrow-in-Furness. Details of access are available from the Tourist Information Centre.

Piel Castle stands on the South-Eastern point of Piel Island at the mouth of the deep-water harbour of Barrow-in-Furness , guarding the passage to and from Furness Abbey's holdings in Ireland and the Isle of Man. The Abbot and convent were granted a licence to crenellate their dwelling-house in 1372 by Edward III, which suggests the fortification of an existing building. By 1537, when Furness Abbey was disolved, the castle was in a ruinous state. The Island was given to Barrow Corporation in 1918, and the Castle came into state guardianship in 1919. Piel Castle stands on a low mound of clay at the highest point of the Island . It consists of a keep, with inner and outer baileys, each surrounded by a ditch, and with towers at three corners. The castle is in the care of English Heritage. It can be reached by a ferry from Roa Island , a few miles south-east of Barrow. Details of access are available from the hotel.