Barrow-in-Furness Car Hire

Things to do in Barrow-in-Furness

Barrow-in-Furness has a wonderful 60km of coastline, and also boasts two marvellous estuaries. With remarkable coastal views, as well as historical sites, Barrow-in-Furness is the ideal place to learn a bit more about days gone by. The town is home to many building remains and old estates that are open to the public, as well as other fun activities that can be expected to be found at a coastal town. There is so much to see, do and learn here in this fantastic place.

Visit Furness Abbey

Built all the way back in 1127, Furness Abbey was one of the wealthiest abbeys in the whole of England until 1537 when Henry the VII ‘dissolved’ it. The incredible remains of the abbey stand tall today and many people from all over come to visit its once marvellous structure. The east and west tower of the church are still in incredible condition, as well as the chapter house and the cloister of buildings around the property. The abbey is a great place to go to learn all about the local history and get up close with the past.

See the Rampside Leading Lights

On the beach is one of the 13 ‘leading lights’ that were put up between the 1850s and the 1870s. These lights were used to guide shops through the Walney Channel and lead them safely to shore. Now, the lights are an incredible feature that people come to visit and take in their magnificence.

Head to Walney Island

Walney Island, or the Isle of Walney is an island just off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness. It is separated from the mainland by the Walney Channel, but can be crossed by the Jubilee Bridge. On the island there is a large bird sanctuary, sandy beaches and an impressive light house. Along with this, there is also a nature reserve which is home to some endangered creatures including the Natterjack toad.

South Lakes Safari Zoo

Recently taken over by the Cumbria Zoo Company, the South Lakes Safari Zoo has come a long way to becoming a zoo that is dedicated to supporting its wildlife. The zoo is home to over 1,000 rare and endangered species and gives people the opportunity to get up close to them in this uniquely designed safari experience. Along with just visiting the zoo, you can also buy gift experiences such as being a zoo keeper for a day, or feeing some of the animals in a safe environment. The zoo is the perfect place to take children and keep them entertained all day long.

Eating Out in Barrow-in-Furness

Barrow-in-Furness isn’t lacking in places to eat. There are a variety of different restaurants, cafes and takeaway options available to you when visiting the town. No matter what you fancy; from pub grub, to Chinese, there is something suitable for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a cosy light bite, or a three course meal, you can find it with ease in this gorgeous seaside town.

The Crown

Situated on Walney Island is the stunning Crown pub. Being one of the towns favourite pubs, there are so many food options here to suite everyone. The menu has everything from stir fries, to traditional pub foods – as well as also having a very good vegetarian menu too. This pub is the perfect option for both lunch and dinner, and has a family-friendly atmosphere meaning it is the perfect place to head even with children in tow. Just make sure you book ahead, as this pub gets quite popular, especially in the holidays. This pub is full of English charm and simply shouldn’t be missed during your visit.

The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel

The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel offers a wide range of absolutely delicious dishes, all created by the Head Chef himself. The hotel is passionate about delivering the best Cumbrian food all year round, and spend that bit of extra time making the food not only taste great, but look great too. The menu uses locally sourced produce to create both classics and unique delicacies, so everyone has options when visiting this restaurant. You really will be spoilt for choice at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, even down to the drinks options at the bar once you’ve finished your meal. This restaurant is one of our favourites and we cannot recommend it enough if you’re in the area.

Transport in Barrow-in-Furness

The town centre itself is really easy to get around on foot, especially if you’re entering via the railway station. Along with this, Stagecoach Cumbria Bus 1 runs to Walney Island and to Furness Hospital every 15 minutes – so there are plenty of public transport options within the town too. That being said, if you want to visit surrounding areas, or more remote locations, you might want to consider hiring a car as this will mean you aren’t relying on public transport timetables and can travel around in your own time.