Pictures of Dalton-in-Furness

About Dalton-in-Furness

Dalton-in-Furness can be found at the meeting point of the roads leading from the mass of sands forming the Furness peninsula-one road leads from Ulverston and the other from Duddon Bridge. It is a pretty little town with interesting buildings, the showpiece of which is the unique cast-iron front of number 51, Market Place. The market place itself is an attractive affair with a handsome Victorian drinking fountain. Standing close-by is an old market cross huge stone slabs once used for drying fish.

Looming over the town is the impressive church dedicated to Saint Mary. This is a richly decorated church, with a large nave and imposing west tower. The treasures contained there-in perfectly reflect the past prosperity of the town and include a font from the 14th-century. In the tree-lined well tended churchyard lies the grave of George Romney, portrait painter who was born in Dalton in the year 1734. There is also a plaque commemorating those who died when the town was hit by Bubonic Plague in 1631.

Dalton Castle was built in 1330 to provide sanctuary for the monks of Furness Abbey fleeing from Scottish raiders. Over the centuries the castle has had a chequered history, it has been used as a prison and a court-house. Owned now by the National Trust, the castle has many of its original features and is open to public view.

Three miles to the west of Dalton on the edge of the Duddon estuary, lie the sand-dunes of Sandscale Haws, where miles of open sands are exposed at low tide. Because of strong river currants bathing here can sometimes be quite dangerous. None-the-less it is a beautiful spot where flashes of light change give wonderful sea vista's.

South Lakes Wild Animal Park is within easy driving distance, it is one of Europe's finest conservation zoos and the only place in England where you can see the largest and smallest breed of Tiger left in the world. It is a truly fascinating place, offering excellent enjoyment for all the family.