The Sir John Barrow Monument in Ulverston is often called Ulverston Lighthouse, but it’s not actually a lighthouse at all. It is a great straightforward walk for families though, here’s how we did it.
The Details
Lake District Area: Ulverston
Length of Walk: 0.5 mile (0.8km) climb, then either 0.5 miles (0.8km) straight back down or another 1 mile (1.6km) to complete the loop
Time needed: This all depends on fitness! And how little the legs are that are walking. I would say it can be happily completed in 1 hour, but maybe allow more for playing/meandering/resting at the top.
Pram-friendly?: You could just about do it with an all-terrain pushchair or a lightweight all terrain wheelchair, but it would definitely be hard work.
Footwear?: Trainers are fine, unless it’s been wet then walking boots or wellies would be better.
Facilities: There is a toilet at the cafe at Ford Park (the cafe is closed on Sundays). You can find more about Ford Park and it’s opening hours here.
Where is the Sir John Barrow monument?
You can find the monument at the very top of Hoad Hill, in Ulverston, Cumbria. It is impossible to miss as you drive through Ulverston, with the hill and the monument looming large over the town.
Originally built in 1850, the monument was built as a memorial for Sir John Barrow who was a geographer and a linguist, and a secretary to the Admiralty who was born locally to Ulverston. It stands at 100 feet tall, and although it was designed as a lighthouse, it has never had a light in it.
You can go inside the monument; it is open on Sundays from 1-5pm, and is free to enter (although donations are always gratefully received.
Parking for Sir John Barrow Monument
Parking for this walk up to the monument is at Ford Park in Ulverston (LA12 7JP). Drive in through the gates (pictured), drive through the field and then parking is signposted and on your right. Ford Park is a charity-run park and all parking costs go to the park upkeep. Parking suggestions are £1 for 1 hour, £2 for 2 hours or £5 for all day, and can be paid with cash in the donation box, or on the Ford Park website.
The Walk to Sir John Barrow Monument
1. From the car park, walk up past the cafe and the walled garden. Notice the little wildlife garden off to your left – there is a little woodland creature hunt all around the stepped loop.
2. Continue on the main path as it slopes up the hill. You will reach a quiet road, turn left onto this road. A short distance later, you will come to some steps and a gate on your right. Go through this gate.
You can see the Sir John Barrow monument in the distance, this is where you’re aiming for!
3. Follow the path until you see a split in the path. Take the path that goes off to the left, this will start to lead you up the hill.
4. Continue to follow this path. You might see some worn/grassy paths off to your left – you can try these (we have!) but they are very much a scramble up the hill and not a walk. For a simple walk I recommend staying on the straightforward path that follows a more gentle incline up the hill.
5. Some parts of the walk are more steep than others, be prepared! At the very top the path becomes grassy, just keep following it as it winds up the hill.
6. You made it! The views from the top over Ulverston and Morecambe Bay are beautiful. Enjoy the rest at the top!
7. The walk down is a lot easier than the walk up! You have a choice here, you could walk the loop which means finding the path at the back of the monument, and following this. This takes you down the back of the hill, and through a part of Ulverston where you can walk back round to Ford Park
Or, you could do what we did (we were hungry!) and just follow the same path down, and enjoy the views coming the other way. Now you can celebrate with a lovely treat at Ford Park cafe!
Do you want more walks around Morecambe Bay? Read this post on Grange Promenade
You might also like to read Family Walks: Hampsfell Hospice
For a nearby classic walk, read Family Walks: Gummers How
Have you joined our friendly Lake District with Kids Facebook group yet?