Ulverston

Situated on the Furness peninsula, the town is awash with events and has transformed itself into the festival capital of South Lakeland. Thousands of people descend on the town every year for gatherings such as the Lantern Procession, the Charter Festival, and the Furness Festival of Tradition.

Venture beyond the town and you will find an area full of charm.

Open farmland is neighboured by scenic villages such as Urswick and Gleaston, and the breathtakingly beautiful Aldingham is complimented by the seaside delights of Bardsea, which overlooks Morecambe Bay.

With its cobbled streets and unique boutiques, Ulverston has a timeless quality, offering as it does a glimpse of the glories of yesteryear while keeping pace with life in the 21st Century, a special quality which owes much to the tireless efforts of the town council, local traders and the Market Town Initiative.

The town has a fascinating history; featuring in the Doomsday Book as belonging to a Saxon chief, Torulf, in 1086, it was granted the Royal Charter in 1280 by Edward 1, and officially became a market town. Weekly markets continue to this day on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Industry reached its peak in 1846 when the Furness railway opened allowing iron ore extracted from Low Furness mines to be transported.

Ulverston is also the birthplace and spiritual home of legendary comedian Stan Laurel, celebrated the world over for his work alongside Oliver Hardy.

A statue of the comedic pair created by sculptor Graham Ibbeson who created the Eric Morecambe statue, will be installed in County Square outside the Coronation Hall, part of a half a million pound investment in Ulverston to improve County Square.

The statue was unveiled by legendary comedian Ken Dodd on Sunday, April 19.

Another Ulverston icon is the Sir John Barrow monument which watches over the town from the heady heights of Hoad Hill.

Of course, when you think of Ulverston, it is impossible not to think of its many festivals ...there’s rarely a month that goes by without something spectacular! And even when there are no major events planned, there are more than enough permanent attractions in the town and surrounding area to entertain and enthral.

Here's just a peep of the fun to be had in this particular corner of Furness ...

* The South Cumbria Musical Festival - The Coronation Hall, or The Coro as it is affectionately known, draws more than 20,000 people from Furness and South Lakeland for the best in local dance, speech and musical performances.

* Pasche Egg Rolling on Easter Monday - After Furness Morris Dancers have entertained people at Market Cross, people gather on Hoad Hill before rolling decorated eggs down the slopes.

* Ulverston Walking Festival - Perfect for those who enjoy a stroll or a strenuous hike, the event features more than 30 walks ranging from one mile to 15.

* Flag Fortnight - The already picturesque town centre looks positively resplendent when decorated with flags for the fortnight. The schoolchildren who make them launch the event with a special parade.

* Ulverston International Music Festival - Founded in 2003, this festival is built on the premise that music is music, and that there should be no barriers between genres. A mixture of young and experienced musicians perform at the Coronation Hall.

* Ulverston Carnival - The town centre is awash with colour and cheer for this annual event which draws crowds from across the region.

* Furness Festival of Tradition - There's dancing in the streets, craft displays and workshops. Pubs are turned into concert venues for folk singarounds and the like.

* North Lonsdale Agricultural Show - find out about farming in Furness at the Bardsea showground.

* Charter Festival - A fortnight of fun features archery, dance, road running and more. This event is organised by Ulverston Town Council to mark the granting of the town’s Market Charter in 1280.

* Lantern Procession - Prepare to be blown away by this breathtaking spectacle. Organised by the Lanternhouse - the town's creative centre - the procession, which features thousands of people carrying hand-crafted lanterns, winds its way through the streets before the awe-inspiring grand finale in Ford Park.

* Dickensian Christmas Festival - Your festive season starts here!

Places to visit...

* Gleaston Water Mill - Ulverston’s historic water-driven corn mill still makes flour in a time-honoured way using impressive traditional machinery. There is also Dusty Miller's tea shop, tbe Pig's Whisper country store, an observation beehive and training apiary.

* Swarthmoor Hall - Once the home of the first Quaker, George Fox, this historic Ulverston house, built in 1586, is recorded as the first Society of Friends’ meeting house. Visitors can tour the historic rooms.

* Conishead Priory & Buddhist Temple - This gothic mansion near Ulverston is home to a large Buddhist centre. Visitors can enjoy house and temple tours and woodland walks.

* South Lakes Wild Animal Park- Broughton Road, Dalton-in-Furness: Billed as the ultimate interactive animal experience with rhinos, giraffes, lions, tigers, bears, lemurs, kangaroos and more.

What's On ...

April 13.

Pasche egg rolling, Hoad Hill, and Furness morris men dancing at the Market Cross, www.ulverstoncouncil.org.uk .

April 16 - 18.

Ulverston Society of Arts spring exhibition, Coronation Hall, entry by donation, www.coro-hall.co.uk.

April 19.

Unveiling of the Laurel & Hardy statue by Ken Dodd, 3.30pm .

April 23 .

St George's day celebrations, town centre, various free events, www.ulverstontowncouncil.org.uk.

May 1 - May 10.

Ulverston Walking Festival, two weeks of specially organised events, 01229-587120.

May 1 - 3.

Printfest, Ulverston, festival of contemporary print-making featuring more than 30 artists, workshops & demonstrations www.printfest.org.uk.

May 2 - May 17.

Flag Festival, Ulverston, two weeks of flag-making culminating in a street parade finale, www.ulverston.net .

May 4.

Spring gig in the garden, Ford Park, 01229-581845, www.ford-park.org.uk.

May 22 - 25.

Spring Buddhist Festival, Conishead Priory, www.kadampa.org/festivals, 01229-584029.

May 24.

Shetland pony & panto horse grand national, Ford Park, Ulverston, 01229-582010.

May 25.

Dalton Medieval Market.

June 5 - 13.

Ulverston International Music Festival, concerts, workshops and master classes, www.ulverstonmusicfestival.co.uk.

July 4.

Ulverston Carnival Day, Market Place, from 10.30am, parades start 1pm.

July 24 - August 8.

Summer Buddhist Festival, Ulverston, Conishead Priory, www.ulverston.net.

July 29.

North Lonsdale Agricultural Show, Bardsea Park, Ulverston, www.northlonsdaleshow.co.uk.

September 3 - 5.

CAMRA beer festival, Ulverston, www.corohall.co.uk.

September 15 - 19 .

Ulverston Charter Festival, www.ulverston.net.

September 19.

Ulverston Lantern Procession, 01229-580640.

October 10 - 17.

Ulverston Fashion Week, Coronation Hall, www.ulverstoncouncil.org.uk.

November 28 - 29.

Dickensian Christmas Festival, Ulverston, www.ulverston.net.