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ARTS, CULTURE & TOURISM
Manor Road, Barrow in Furness, LA13 0PJ
0370 333 1181
Furness Abbey
FURNESS ABBEY
Tucked away 53 miles south
of Carlisle lie the impressive
remains of an abbey founded
by Stephen, Count of
Boulogne who later became
King of England. The ruins
today include much of the
east end and west tower
of the church, the ornately
decorated chapter house
and the cloister buildings.
English Heritage is currently
carrying
out
emergency
conservation work to stop
the ruined Abbey church
sinking into the soft ground.
While excavating the grave
of a medieval abbot, a hoard
of medieval treasures was
discovered at Furness Abbey.
This discovery unearthed the
first crozier to be excavated
in Britain in over 50 years and
an impressive gemstone ring
was also found. Both of these
items, along with a collection
of rare and remarkable stone
effigies can be seen on
display in the visitor’s centre.
Apart from the exhibition,
there’s a gift shop and picnic
area on the premises, and
children are invited to play in
the gardens. There are also
events that bring the history
of Furness Abbey to life
such as medieval fayres and
Christmas craft fairs.
