Broughton-in-Furness

Broughton in Furness

St Mary Magdalene's Church, Broughton-in-Furness
Broughton in Furness
 Broughton in Furness shown within Cumbria
Population 529 ()
OS grid referenceSD2087
Civil parishBroughton West
DistrictSouth Lakeland
Shire countyCumbria
RegionNorth West
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS
Postcode district LA20
Dialling code 01229
Police Cumbria
Fire Cumbria
Ambulance North West
EU Parliament North West England
UK ParliamentBarrow and Furness
List of places
UK
England
Cumbria

Coordinates: 54°16′41″N 3°12′50″W / 54.278°N 3.214°W / 54.278; -3.214

Broughton in Furness is a small market town on the southern boundary of England's Lake District National Park. It is located in the Furness region of Cumbria, which was part of Lancashire before 1974.

History

Broughton is mentioned in the Domesday Book as one of the townships forming the Manor of Hougun held by Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria.[1] Dating from around the eleventh century, the original settlement grew to become the local market town for both fishing and agriculture. Wool was particularly important for the town's development. The town was given a charter in 1575.

Market Square was formally laid out in 1760 by John Gilpin Sawrey, the Lord of the Manor, who lived at Broughton Tower,a large mansion just a short distance from the Square. In the 1990s the A595 road was diverted in an attempt to improve the environment of the town and help it retain its rural feel.

Government

In 1976 the parishes of Broughton West, Seathwaite with Dunnerdale, and Angerton were merged, creating Duddon Parish Council.

Geography

It lies near the River Duddon, just inland from the coastal hamlet of Foxfield. Duddon Mosses is a site of special scientific interest with deer, lizards, adders and barn owls.

Demography

With just 529 residents Broughton is one of the smallest towns in the UK.

Economy

Traditionally the economy was based on fishing and agriculture; there is a regular livestock market. The creation of the National Park in the 1950s produced some tourism for the area, though most tourists still head further north or east into the central lakes. There is a Tourist Information Centre located in the main square.

Culture and community

The Victory Hall has been recently refurbished with Lottery funding and puts on plays and musical events. The town contains, amongst other shops, a Post Office/newsagents, a grocer/butcher, a bakery and a number of pubs/restaurants.

Landmarks

The central obelisk in the town square was constructed to mark the Jubilee of King George III in 1810. Syke House on the western approach is an attractive listed building with datestones of 1655 and 1740.

Transport

In 1859, the Coniston branch of the Furness Railway, which passed through the town, was opened. Nearly one hundred years later, in 1958, the line was closed and dismantled, and the cleared ground is now a public bridleway. Broughton's nearest railway station is now Foxfield railway station, 2 miles (3.2 km) south west of the town.

Education

There is a Church of England primary school in the town.

Religious sites

The Anglican church dedicated to St Mary Magdalene has its roots in Saxon times but the oldest part of the current building dates to the 12th century.

Sport

There is a thriving tennis club with two outdoor courts and there is sailing on Coniston Water. Eccle Riggs is a Victorian manor house to the south of town that is now a leisure club.

Notable people

Richard Parsons is the author of a series of best-selling GCSE study guides, making him the fifth best-selling author in Britain in the first decade of the 21st century.[2] Sir Robin Philipson RA (1916–1992) was born in the town.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cumbria: Hougun (The Domesday Book On-Line)
  2. ↑ Patrick Sawer and Rebecca Lefort (13 December 2009). "Surprise as little known author ranked among most successful writers of past decade". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
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