Ulverston lies on the Furness peninsular, west of Cartmel. A typical Northern market town in the true sense, it has yet to be flooded by tourism, staving off a tidal wave of souvenir emporiums, providing real shops for local needs, with a warm welcome and friendly smile. The town first gained market status by Royal Charter in 1280, granted by Edward 1 and has proudly kept this title by hosting one of the best twice weekly street markets in Cumbria, along with a busy sheep auction down at Canal head. Prosperity came in 1795 with the construction of the canal built by John Rennie. The widest and deepest canal of its time it brought a thriving shipping industry which in turn financed some fine buildings. This boom was short lived with the coming of the railways, when Ulverston was passed over in favour of Barrow as offering a much better harbour, the town settling happily back to its quieter business of being a local market town. Quiet that is until festival days. More like a Spanish town than one in the North of England, Ulverston does love a festival. There are festivals for walking, music, egg rolling, flag day and, perhaps most spectacular, the Lantern Festival to list but a few so you need to check what's on and when with the Tourist Information Centre. Arts play a big part in the life of Ulverston where, along with the festivals, there is a good cinema and the ‘Coronation Hall’, a fine theatre, offering plays, music and opera. The most noted and obvious building lies on the edge of the town rising up on Hoad Hill. As you approach you cannot fail to notice that the Eddystone Lighthouse has seemingly miriaculosly appeared. This odd spectical is in fact a ninety foot high replica raised in 1850 in memory of John Barrow, born in Ulverston in 1764 and notably a writer, traveller, Arctic explorer and Secretary of the Admiralty. From Hart Street to Hoad Lane a path leads up to the monument and gives a fantastic view of both the town and the surrounding fells and bay. Another famed building is The Lantern House, a wonderfully pink structure with an iron lattice work spire adorning its tower and is home to the Welfare State celebratory arts. Famous folk of Ulverston, along with Sir John Barrow, number the troublesome George Fox, founder of the Quaker Movement and Lord Birkett, notably Britain’s representative at the Nuremberg trials and Council for the infamous Mrs Simpson. Probably the most celebrated native of Ulverston is Stanley Jefferson. Young Stan was born on the 16th June 1890 at number 3 Argyle Street. He later went to America, teamed up with Oliver Hardy and as Stan Laurel, became one of the twenteth centuries greatest comedians. Attractions worthy of a visit are the Heritage Centre for an insight into the town’s history and the Laurel and Hardy Museum, which has a vast collection of memorabilia and a small 1920s style cinema showing their classic films. West on the main road to Barrow is the South Lakes Wild Animal Park. This private conservation centre has done much to help protect endangered spieces. The centre of Ulverston is much unchanged with shops and inns lined along the cobbled Market Street, off which radiate alleys and ginnels. There are bakers, butchers ironmongers, chemists, a good deli and just east of the town is Booths supermarket, a fine local chain. Dotted around the town are some excellent art and craft shops. My favourite is the Tinners Rabbit, owned and run by Chris Benefield, himself a local artist. On three floors, up narrow stairs, rooms offer pottery, pictures, hats and jewlerey. Ulverston Point in Mill Street is another good arts and craft centre with various stalls. Opposite Booths is Cumbria Crystal; noted for the quality of their designs, the company supplys many of our Embassies with their fine glass. Just west of the town is Colony Candles where you will find a huge array of designs and an opportunity to have a go at dipping your own. On Thursday’s and Saturdays the streets come alive with the markets selling good local produce and with buskers and street artists there is a nice carnival air. There are lots of good pubs and inns serving bar food and local brewed ale and, for coffee, the Hot Mango is a local meeting place. The Jade Fountain is a very friendly Chinese restaurant, the Peppermill Restaurant gets good reports and out at Canal Foot is the renowned Bay Horse Inn and restaurant.