Nearby Attractions

Laurel and Hardy museum

Hoad Monument

The ancient town of Dalton-in-Furness lies in a narrow valley 'The Vale of Nightshade' part of Furness which extends deep into Morecambe Bay. Once this was the leading town of Furness, and was an important centre for administration and justice.

The 14th-century pele tower, now known as Dalton Castle, stands almost hidden by surrounding buildings. It was built around 1330-36 to provide a place of refuge for the monks of of nearby Furness Abbey against Scottish raiders. Over the centuries it has served as both prison and court, and whilst being extensively altered inside, retains its original features outside. It is now owned by the National Trust.

Not far from Dalton Castle is the red sandstone church of St Mary which was designed by the celebrated Victorian architects Paley and Austin, and which is one of their most spectacular buildings. In the graveyard lies George Romney (1734-1804), the famous portrait painter who was born in the town. Many examples of his work may be seen at Abbot Hall in Kendal.

There are many interesting buildings in Dalton in and around the Market Place, such as the unique cast-iron shop-front of No 51 Market Street which is a well recommended restaurant, 'Hartley's. There is an elegant Victorian drinking fountain, with fluted columns supporting a dome of open iron-work. Nearby is the market cross and slabs of stone used for fish drying in the 19th century.

About a mile out of the town is the Lake District's only zoological park, South Lakes Wild Animal Park, which is recognised as one of Europe's leading conservation zoos. Here you will find both Amur and Sumatran Tigers, the biggest and smallest tigers left in the world.

Ulverston is 4 miles away, a country market town with many independent shops and several attractions

• Laurel and Hardy museum
• Hoad Monument, the ‘pepper pot’ on Hoad Hill
• A lovely walk alongside England’s shortest, deepest and straightest canal
• Conishead Priory and the Buddhist Golden Temple
• Swarthmoor Hall, (where the Quaker movement originated).

Other attractions within 10 miles:

• Lakeland Motor Museum,
• Barrow Dock Museum
• South Lakeland Wild Animal park
• Birkrigg common and Druid stone circle
• Piel Island with its ancient castle
• Furness Abbey’s soaring sandstone ruins
• Walney Island and its two nature reserves
• Gleaston Watermill
• Lakeside and Haverthwaite steam railway
• Lakeside for steamer trips on Windermere, to Bowness or Ambleside