A market town with its unique charm, friendly shops, fascinating ginnels and cobbled streets.

Ulverston on a busy market day in Summer.

Ulverston is a traditional South Lakeland market town noted for its colourful programme of festivals. Ulverston was granted a charter to hold markets in the thirteenth century and has been holding twice weekly colourful street markets ever since. Speciality food fairs with organic produce and local delicacies that regularly enhance street markets held on Thursdays and Saturdays. Look out for the dates of the Speciality Markets (specializing in Food, Art, Charity and Craft featuring many ‘Made In Cumbria’ items) that start in May and continue through until September.Call the Ulverston TIC for more information.

Ulverston is one of the few towns still able to command the services of a Town Crier and she –(Yes! the town’s Crier is a Lady!) can be heard and seen in her ‘Ulverston blue’ costume around the cobbled streets and yards of the town during special events or when a request is made to the Town Clerk. Yvonne in full regalia.

The striking Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad Hill, which resembles a lighthouse, towers above the bustling streets below. Many traditional shops sit alongside new enterprises reflecting the work of Ulverston's thriving artistic community.

Ulverston is the headquarters of Cumbria Crystal based at the Lakes Glass Centre. The Centre offers the visitor a fascinating insight into the craftsmanship involved producing crystal using traditional methods. Lanternhouse, Welfare State International's centre for celebratory arts has a colourful programme of exhibitions and specialist workshops many of which link in to the local programme of Festivals which take place each year in the town.