Barrow in Furness Tourist Information. Industrial History and Shipbuilding

The Dock Museum & Shipbuilding History in Barrow-in-Furness

"I remember working at Vickers Shipyard when I was in my late teens/early twenties, whenever it was sunny I'd disappear and spend the afternoon at Baycliff, sunbathing, sea-bathing, and in one of the offices there'd be a tide table. Whenever it was a lunchtime tide, a crowd of us would shoot off to Earnse Bay with our lunch and swim, one of us taking it in turns to go back on time and clock the others in. But office work? No". (Geraldine Green, Secretary at Vickers, now a published poet living in Cumbria)

There's many a story of workers in the shipbuilding industry to explore at the Dock Museum in Barrow-in-Furness. The area is synonymous with shipbuilding, and particularly submarine building which has been going on here since 1866. The industry is still prevalent, now under BAE systems. A few gruesome nuclear submarines have come from this area. The history of shipbuilding in this area, has a Lancashire edge as Barrow-in-Furness was once part of Lancashire.

Entrance to this fascinating museum is FREE! The building itself is located on old docks land, and has a rather interesting pyramid shape, but the real treasures are inside. Exhibitions not only include a focus on the shipbuilding industry, but also the social history of the whole area of Barrow-in-Furness. Start the journey at the large permanent exhibition 'Shipbuilders to the World'. Discover that shipbuilding began in the Barrow Yard in the 1870s, and was not actually purchased by the Vickers family until 1897.

Various models of ships made in this yard can be viewed, and you can find out more about the stories of the men and women who have worked the yards, like Draughtswoman Julie Jones. Vickers photographically recorded work in the yard, and many of these can be viewed at the museum, or some are on-line.

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There's More to the Dock Museum

Further social and industrial history displays are on show, including an exhibit exploring life in Barrow during the Second World War, the Furness Railway, Iron mining and the Barrow Steel works. Gets a bit twee with Danny the Whippet and Victorian kitchen, but we'll forgive that set against the fascinating photographs and stories of real men and women in the industry. Also on offer are six wonderful interactive film shows taking you on a journey through the history of Barrow, guided by real characters brought back to life. Superb. It's all FREE so what are you waiting for!!

Additional exhibits include an Art Gallery, including works by local artist George Romney and there are continually changing temporary exhibitions (check the website for current details), for example further displays of photographs taken of the shipyard by Vickers which have not yet been seen (you can now view the entire Vickers Photographic Archive online via the Dock Museum's superb website linked right). Check out also on the website the superb educational service to schools, with various interactive activities and workshops for children, including the sessions '19th century Barrow Life', 'Barrow and the Age of Industry' and 'Barrow During the Second World War'. The museum is very flexible and can adapt tours and workshops to your needs.

Other great features included on the museum site are the Themed adventure playground where the kids can let off steam climbing up rigging or sliding down the side of mock boats and so forth!, an intriguing gift shop with ample postcards of photographs and books exploring the social history of Barrow-in-Furness, and a coffee shop with hot and cold snacks and homemade cakes. It's a day out in a million, and easy on the purse with free parking and entrance - perfect! Recent updates have been made to the film show, now housed in a spanking new auditorium. Changing exhibitions in the Art Gallery also currently include an exhibit on Women and Children's lives in Barrow.

Opening Times: Easter to October Inclusive (Summer): Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 5pm, Last Admission 4.15pm. Open Bank Holiday Mondays - High Season Only. November to Easter (Winter) Wednesday to Friday 10.30am - 4pm, Last Admission 3.15pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4.30pmLast Admission 3.45pm. Free Car Parking on-site, PLUS FREE ADMISSION! Toilets and Baby Change Facilities, Information in Braille and Large Print Accessible for wheelchair users including lift to all floors. Group Bookings Welcome, and tours available. The Dock Museum, North Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2PW, Tel: 01229 876400.

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