Furness Local History
Journey through the rich heritage and captivating stories of our region
Our Research Area
Research Area Map
Our research focuses on a specific area of Furness — from the sweep of Morecambe Bay to the heights of the fells — where our team of researchers, historians, and volunteers work together to uncover and preserve local heritage. Each of us brings unique skills and knowledge to create a comprehensive understanding of our area's fascinating history.
Historical Stories
Dive into our collection of local history and heritage stories — there's so much to discover
The Manor of Hougun: Furness in the Domesday Book
Hidden-Gems
In 1086, the area now known as Furness was recorded in the Domesday Book as part of the Manor of Hougun. At that time, there was no town of Barrow-in-
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St Michael’s Church Pennington
Pennington
St Michael’s Church, Pennington – 900 Years of Heritage St Michael’s Church, Pennington, rising peacefully above the village in Cumbria, is far
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Birkrigg Stone Circle: A Double Ring of Mystery in Cumbria’s Wilds
Furness in 3D
Birkrigg Stone Circle Cumbria is a Bronze Age double-ring mystery rich in archaeology, folklore, and unanswered questions on a windblown fell. High on
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Pennington Castle at Castle Hill: A Forgotten Stronghold and Its Legacy
Pennington
One of the images is not Pennington Castle; it is what Pennington Castle may have looked like based on the historical description. Pennington Castl
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The Needle: Rampside’s Striped Sentinel
Furness in 3D
Before GPS and glowing buoys, there was the Needle Rampside —a strange, slender brick structure standing proud among the sea grass on the edge of Mo
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From History to Heartbeat: Wishing Everyone (Including Me) the Best of Luck in the Keswick to Barrow Walk
Hidden-Gems
Keswick to Barrow walk , The sun’s creeping over the fells here in Keswick, lighting up the morning mist like it’s trying to impress someone. Ther
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Conishead Priory History
Ulverston
Nestled amidst the beauty of the Lake District, Conishead Priory offers a fascinating journey through time. Today, it’s home to the Manjushri Kadamp
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Moat Hill: The Full Story of Aldingham’s Forgotten Castle
Aldingham
Standing quietly above the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay, on a prominent headland near the village of Aldingham, there’s a lonely grassy mound cal
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Walney Crossings Ferries to Jubilee
Barrow-in-Furness
Nestled off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness, Walney Island has long been a key part of the region’s history. For centuries, this picturesque island w
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The “Herald” Range: A Kitchen Icon from Ulverston’s Past
Ulverston
The Herald range, a marvel of kitchen technology in its time, revolutionised home cooking with its unique lifting fire mechanism. Imagine the satisfyi
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Discovering the Abbey Mill Cafe: A Journey Through History and Hospitality
Barrow-in-Furness
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Roxy Cinema and Bingo Hall: A Storied History of Dalton-in-Furness Iconic Venue
Dalton-in-Furness
Roxy Cinema Dalton-in-Furness stood at the heart of community life for generations. In the heart of Dalton-in-Furness, nestled on the bustling Market
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Risedale School 1976 Photo Mystery
Barrow-in-Furness
A mysterious image has emerged from the depths of the internet, a snapshot from the year 1976, capturing a moment in time at Risedale School. A group
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Fascinatingly Forgotten Polymath: Dr. William Close
Dalton-in-Furness
William Close Dalton-in-Furness was a remarkable innovator who shaped the town’s history through science, music, and engineering. In the quaint mark
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The Lighthouse Without a Light: The Sir John Barrow Monument of Ulverston
Ulverston
Sir John Barrow Monument: Ulverston’s Tower of Tribute High above the rooftops of Ulverston, where winding footpaths lead through waving grasses
Read MoreFurness Timeline
Travel through thousands of years of Furness history — from prehistoric times to the present day
🏞️ Prehistoric to Roman Period
- c. 4000–2500 BC (Neolithic) — Evidence of early farming and settlement on Walney Island and Low Furness; stone tools and cairns near Urswick and Coniston.
- c. 1000 BC (Bronze Age) — Burial cairns and stone circles appear across Furness Fells and Coniston.
- c. 1st–4th century AD (Roman) — Furness lies near the Roman road from Ravenglass to Watercrook (Kendal). Minor coastal forts and signal stations protect Morecambe Bay; possible outpost near Urswick.
⚔️ Early Medieval / Anglo-Saxon & Norse Period
- 7th century — Anglian settlers reach Low Furness; Christianity spreads via Lindisfarne and York missions.
- 9th century — Norse settlers from Ireland and the Isle of Man colonise Furness; Old Norse place-names emerge (e.g. "-thwaite", "-beck", "-ness").
- 10th century — Area loosely under the Kingdom of Strathclyde or Northumbria before incorporation into England.
🏰 Norman & Monastic Period
- 1086 (Domesday Book) — Records several Furness settlements: Roose, Hougenai (Walney), Hietun (Hawcoat). Dalton noted as the chief manor.
- 1123–1127 — Furness Abbey founded at Bekanesgill (later the Vale of Nightshade near Barrow) by Stephen, Count of Boulogne (later King Stephen). Initially Savigniac, soon Cistercian.
- 12th–13th centuries — The Abbey becomes one of England's richest monasteries; controls land across Furness, parts of Lancashire, and the Isle of Man.
⚒️ Early Modern Period
- 16th–17th centuries — Furness divided between Low Furness (agricultural) and High Furness (pastoral, woodland, mining).
- 1643–1651 — Civil War skirmishes occur near Dalton and Ulverston.
- 1660s–1700s — Ulverston expands as a market town and maritime trading port.
🚂 Industrial & Victorian Expansion
- 1839 — Henry Schneider arrives, prospecting iron ore in Low Furness.
- 1846 — Furness Railway opens between Dalton and Kirkby; later extended to Barrow and Ulverston.
- 1850s–1870s — Massive iron ore extraction at Lindal, Askam, and Stank.
⚓ 20th Century — War, Industry & Community
- 1901 — First British submarine (Holland 1) built in Barrow.
- 1914–1918 (WWI) — Furness shipyards produce Royal Navy vessels; Dalton, Ulverston support war industries.
- 1939–1945 (WWII) — Barrow and Ulverston contribute to the war effort; shipyard bombed during air raids.
🏙️ 21st Century — Modern Furness
- 1984 — Furness General Hospital opens.
- 2000s — Focus on defence (BAE Systems Submarines) and tourism in Coniston, Ulverston, and the Furness Fells.
- 2023 (1 April) — Cumbria abolished; Furness becomes part of the new Westmorland and Furness Unitary Authority.
Our Research Focus
Our research concentrates on specific locations and periods within our area. We work together, combining our different skills and expertise — and we warmly encourage community input and feedback. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to sharing local knowledge and memories; every contribution enriches our understanding.
Share Your Knowledge
We welcome stories, memories, and information from local residents. Your personal experiences and family history are invaluable to our research — every story adds another layer to our shared heritage.
Share your Furness story with us →Community Feedback
We encourage open discussion and feedback on our research findings. Different perspectives help us build a more complete picture of our area's history — your input truly matters.
Collaborative Research
Our team approach ensures that research is thorough and well-rounded. We combine archival work, fieldwork, and community knowledge to uncover the full story.