Dalton-in-Furness

Dalton-in-Furness
Lancashire
Market Street, Dalton-in-Furness
Location
Grid reference:	SD228738
Location:	54°9’16"N, 3°10’53"W
Data
Population:	7,827  (2011)
Post town:	Dalton-in-Furness
Postcode:	LA15
Dialling code:	01229
Local Government
Council:	Westmorland & Furness
Parliamentary constituency:	Barrow and Furness

Dalton-in-Furness is a small Lancashire town, a place of 7,827 people at the 2011 Census. It is in Lancashire North of the Sands, northeast of Barrow-in-Furness; Dalton is the third largest town [after Barrow & Ulverston] in Lancashire north of the sands.

Dalton-in-Furness is best known beyond its environs as the location of South Lakes Safari Zoo. Dalton Castle stands here too.

History

Dalton is mentioned in the Domesday Book, written as "Daltune" as one of the townships forming the 'Manor of Hougun' held before the Conquest by Earl Tostig. Historically, it was the capital of Furness.

The ancient parish of Dalton covered a vey wide area, including the lands where Barrow-in-Furness now stands.

In 1614 Margaret Askew was born in Dalton. Later known by her married name of Margaret Fell or Margaret Fox, she founded the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Known popularly as the "mother of Quakerism," she is considered one of the Valiant Sixty early Quaker preachers and missionaries. She died on 23 April 1702 at age 87 or 88.

The town is associated with a number of famous artists, including George Romney.

Geography

The town is situated near the centre of Low Furness, on the eastern crest of a glaciated valley which runs obliquely across the peninsula. Just over a mile to the south lie the ruins of Furness Abbey, and four miles to the south west is the nearest major town, Barrow-in-Furness. The area is generally reached by the A590, the link road from the M6 motorway to the Furness region, which now by-passes the town, reducing the traffic flow, and enabling traffic calming measures which have proved to be rather controversial.

Dalton railway station, which serves the town, is located on the Furness Line, giving connections to Barrow, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands and Lancaster. Also there are longer distance services to Preston and Manchester.

Dalton Castle

Miscellany

Dalton with Newton Town Council was the first corporate member of the Friends of Real Lancashire, an organisation dedicated to recognising the traditional county boundaries of Lancashire.

Sport

• Cricket: Dalton Cricket Club
• Football:
  • Dalton United
  • Crooklands Casuals (also known as the Orangemen)
  • Women's football: Dalton Girls and Ladies FC
  • Junior football: Crooklands Casuals and Dalton Junior FC junior teams
• Rugby: Dalton Rugby League Football Club

Attractions

As well as being quarter of an hour from the Lake District, Dalton has a number of tourist attractions within its borders:

• Dalton Castle (National Trust)
• South Lakes Safari Zoo

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Dalton-in-Furness)

• Dalton-in-Furness Online
• Dalton with Newton Town Council

References

• Battye, Rock: 'Dalton-in-Furness : mediæval capital to mining community' (2006) ISBN 0-9540232-4-2