A-Z of Barrow-in-Furness: Places-People-History

Barrow-in-Furness was transformed by the industrial expansion of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries leading to it becoming a centre for ship and submarine building. Located at the tip of a peninsula, known for its own micro-climate and a rich and varied natural environment, the townscape is surrounded by sea, and beyond that the Lakeland hills, while the protective arms of Walney Island provide a natural channel and harbour. Nature sits alongside industry and heritage; looking across the channel one can see a medieval castle on an island, a nuclear submarine dockyard, factories and gas terminals, the town and the sands of Morecambe Bay.

The iron ore industry once scarred the landscape, but time and new growth have disguised the marks. Farming is still a crucial factor in Barrow and you do not have to stray far to discover old abbey granges still functioning yet diversifying. In this book, Gill Jepson provides a fascinating insight into Barrow’s places, events and its famous sons and daughters.

Among them are footballer Emlyn Hughes, rugby player Willie Horne, Isle of Man TT racer Eddie Crooks, portrait artist George Romney, and the chef and ‘Hairy Biker’ Dave Myers. Discover the stories behind buildings including the magnificent Victorian Town Hall, the terraced houses and tenements, and gems of medieval architecture such as Furness Abbey, Piel Castle and Dalton Castle. The author presents an eclectic and exciting guide to the town, which has the opportunity to surprise and engage on many levels.