Top 8 Sights & Landmarks in Ulverston, England

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre is an internationally renowned centre for meditation, where everyone is welcome to enjoy a peaceful environment or join in the many programmes offered throughout the year. Whether you are looking for a day visit to the Buddhist Temple, house or grounds, an introduction to Buddhist meditation, or in depth courses and retreats, Manjushri KMC offers an enjoyable and meaningful experience. Daily free 15 minute guided meditations held in the World Peace Temple, everyone welcome. Each day there is a guided meditation at 12.30pm and 2pm. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the International Spring and Summer Festival we are closed to day visitors from Mon 13 May and reopen on Mon 3 June 2019. Then again on Mon 15 July and reopen Sat 17 August 2019. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

The prominent memorial on Hoad Hill was built in 1850 in honour of Sir John Barrow, a naval explorer and Second Secretary to the Admiralty, who was born in Ulverston. It is a replica of an early version of the Eddystone Lighthouse. On the 15th of May 1850, the foundation stones of the lighthouse monument were laid by the two sons of Sir John Barrow. There were huge celebrations in the town, with a procession, a religious service, and much rejoicing. The monument was finished by the end of 1850, and was promptly struck by lightning, causing nine stones to be dislodged from the cupola. It was fixed up, and a lightning conductor fitted. The total cost to build the monument was £1,250, and a further £136 to repair the lightning damage. Most of this was paid for by public subscription, and £100 was provided by Trinity House on condition that the monument had the capability to be used as a real lighthouse if deemed necessary at some future time. Since then, the monument has survived the elements, with the help of several restorations, the most recent of which was completed in 2010 at the cost of £1.2 million. Nowadays, it is maintained by a team of volunteer lighthouse keepers. It is open to the public on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 1pm to 5pm, from Easter to the end of October, when the flag on the hill is flying. The monument can be hired for weddings and other celebrations.

Ulverston Canal was designed by the architect John Rennie, famous for building the first Waterloo Bridge in London. Construction started in 1793, and the canal opened in December 1796. It became known as the shortest, deepest, broadest and straightest in England. Ulverston Canal is now used for leisure purposes. It is being safeguarded and enhanced thanks to the Ulverston Canal Regeneration Group. A footpath runs the length of the canal, between Canal Head on the A590, and Canal Foot on the shores of Morecambe Bay. The Bay Horse pub at Canal Foot provides a convenient resting place for walkers. The canal is also popular with local fishermen.