Discover the Coast Road

Linking Ulverston and Barrow is the scenic coast road with stunning views across Morecambe Bay. If you are visiting Barrow in Furness for the first time we would recommend the coast road for your journey. On a clear day you will experience views across to Morecambe and Blackpool and you will even be able to spot Blackpool Tower.

Morecambe Bay

The Coast Road runs along the Morecambe Bay coast, which is a large estuary covering 120 sq miles. The bay hosts the second largest gas field in the UK with original reserves of over 7 trillion cubic feet (tcf) (200 billion cubic metres). At its peak, 15% of Britain’s gas supply came from the bay. 

Several rivers drain into the Bay, with their various estuaries making a number of peninsulas within the bay. Much of the land around the bay is reclaimed, forming salt marshes used in agriculture. Morecambe Bay is also an important wildlife site, with abundant birdlife and varied marine habitats, and there is a bird observatory at South Walney Nature Reserve. The bay has rich cockle beds, which have been fished by locals for generations.

Rampside Golf

From April till September this 10 hole, par 3 golf course operates. The course is ideal for family groups and beginners, but also offers a challenge to golfers who would like to improve their short game. Clubs can be hired from the shop, which also serves refreshments and ice creams. No booking is required, this is a pay and play course.

The course has been running since 1927 and generations of people have experienced the course over the years. Find out more here.

Rampside Village

Situated at the top of the Coast Road is the village of Rampside where you can see the Rampside Lighthouse, also known as The Needle. Built in 1875, it is the only surviving example of 13 such beacons built around Barrow during the late 19th century to aid vessels into the town’s port. It stands 20 metres (66 ft) tall and is constructed from red and yellow bricks. Rampside Lighthouse was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage in 1991.

Across the road from The Needle you will find the Clarkes Hotel, a 14 room hotel with restaurant and bar. During the Summer months you may choose to dine outside and enjoy the sea air and views across Morecambe Bay and during the winter you are able to warm by a real fire.

At the end of May and August the hotel plays host to a Retro Car & Bike show, with motor vehicles from across the ages heading to this idyllic setting.

Cycling the Coast Road

The Coast Road is extremely popular with cyclists, who can enjoy the relatively quiet roads and scenic views as they ride. 

The Coast Road is used by the Barrow Central Wheelers Cycling Club, est 1933 for time trial events and hosts 10, 21 & 25 mile events. Their season opens in April and finishes with a fancy dress ride along the Coast Road at the end of Summer.

Find out more about Cycling the coast of Barrow here