Ulverston
With its lanes, ginnels and cobbled streets, and colourful market days on Thursday and Saturday it is ideal for a day away from the fells. Stan Laurel was born here in 1890 and the LAUREL & HARDY MUSEUM houses the world's best collection of the famous comedians' memorabilia. At THE LAKES GLASS CENTRE you can watch traditional glass-making techniques, while the LANTERNHOUSE has art exhibitions and a fine gallery.
Ulverston has many festivals so check out the local press for details.
The monument on Hoad hill which is visible for miles around is dedicated to Sir John Barrow, founder menber of the National Geographical Society and an intrepid explorer.
Barrow and the Furness peninsula
Next stop is COLONY COUNTRY STORE, on the road to Barrow. As well as being the best place to buy candles of all shapes and scents, you can also try making them. The SOUTH LAKES WILD ANIMAL PARK was voted the Family Attraction of the Year 2000 and it is not difficult to understand why. The main feature is a unique safari on foot with many of the animals roaming free in the natural surroundings. There are giraffes, rhinos, lemurs, kangaroos- you name it - and yes, they do have tigers, possibly the wildest in Europe, and, fortunately, not quite as free. Closer to Barrow you will find FURNESS ABBEY, one of the monastic glories of England. It was founded in 1127, by the future King Stephen, in a deep vale called the Glen of Deadly Nightshade. The soaring sandstone ruins that remain still express a sense of solemnity and majesty. An ideal counterpart to the Abbey is the beautiful Priory at Cartmel, still serving the village after 800 years.
BARROW-IN-FURNESS has changed beyond recognition over the past decade, but without losing sight of its proud industrial past. Where better to start then than THE DOCK MUSEUM, an imaginative and modern museum built over the original Victorian Graving Dock. The exhibition illustrates how a tiny hamlet grew to be the world's greatest iron and steel centre and a major ship building force in just over 40 years. Barrow has something for everyone - a leisure centre with flumes and a wave pool, a superbowl and multiplex cinema, street performers and arts centres, and a wide choice of shops. And, if Eskdale has not already worn the soles off your boots, then unfold your map and enjoy the peninsula's lovely coastal walks and nature reserves. For a real test of your mettle you could always take The Furness Way back to Eskdale - but pack a thermos.
For more information visit the Barrow in Furness website at www.barrowbc.gov.uk