Ulverston is a freindly and historic market town with its own unique charm. There is a colourful street market on Thursday and Saturday and an indoor market 5 days a week. It is also the birthplace of Stan Laurel and home to the worlds only Laurel and Hardy museum. For information on the history of the town visit the heritage centre and in the 600 seat Coronation Hall see a full program of events. Discover freindly specialists shops, welcoming pubs, cafes and resteraunts, fascinating ginnels and cobbled streets. Enjoy the towns colourful festivals which take place throughout the year. Ulverston officially became a market town in 1280 when a Royal Charter was granted by Edward 1 - an event celebrated every September with the Charter Festival. In the mid 1660's it also became a centre of religious activity when George Fox, founder of the Quaker Movement, lived for a time at Swarthmoor Hall which still exists today.

A thriving maritime community soon developed when the canal was constructed in 1796. Ships from Ulverston exported copper, slate and linnens around the world. A famous son of the town, Sir John Barrow, was a founder member of the Royal Geographical Society and an intrepid explorer. For fourty years he was Second Seceratary to the Admiralty. He died in 1848 and the town constructed its most famous landmark in his honour in 1850. The Sir John Barrow Monument - or Hoad Monument as it is known which stands on Hoad Hill overlooking the town.

For more information on the town and its history visit the towns heritage centre.