The Dock Museum

Barrow is renowned for building some of the most advanced Nuclear Submarines in the World but also offers visitors 'more than meets the eye'. Surrounded by sea on three sides, Barrow has a rich maritime heritage centred round its ship-building history, but its coastal location also offers a whole lot more. With over 60km of coastline, Barrow boasts its very own island complete with a castle and a king, the only grey seal colony in Cumbria, a range of beaches fit for sport and leisure and is ranked number one in England for its diversity of nature.

The arrival of the Furness Railway in 1846 was to be the turning point in Barrow's history. Over the following decades it was transformed from a farming village of 30 houses into a bustling industrial town. The people behind the story of Barrow's remarkable history include dukes, lords, engineers and entrepreneurs and the name that stands out particularly is James Ramsden. The opportunities offered by "the English Chicago" brought thousands of people looking for work and it was their efforts that made the town unique. Barrow in Furness grew in the mid-19th Century with the discovery of large deposits of iron ore and the creation of the Furness Railway Line.

The town was pivotal in ship building during the first and second World Wars and has an interesting heritage which can be discovered at the Dock Museum. Exploring the town's historic buildings provides a journey into Barrow's historic beginnings. the Dock Museum has recently won the Cumbria Tourism award for accessibility and inclusivity. If you have any enquiries about your visit please call them on 01229 876400 The Dock Museum, delves into Barrow's past as far back as the Viking Settlements, the Cistercian Monks of the 12th Century, the birth of modern day Barrow and how Barrow was instrumental in the war efforts during World War I & World War II. The Dock welcomes group visits of all ages.

The museum is a special place as it's built into a former dry dock. It's a large and varied museum looking at the history of Furness from the end of the Ice Age right up to the present day. Looking at the fascinating story of the impact of the Vikings (including the Viking hoard) the remarkable growth of the town in the Victorian period it even recreates a claustrophobic Anderson shelter in its Second World War gallery. Many people visit Barrow in Furness because of its proximity to the Lake District National Park, but ignoring the range of attractions Barrow has to offer and heading for the busy Lake District may mean you miss out on some exciting adventures and experiences. Barrow in Furness has 60km of Coastline and is ranked no.1 in England for its Natural Heritage. The nature reserves of Walney are perfect for a family adventure and South Walney Nature Reserve is the only place in Cumbria where you can see a Grey Seal colony.