Hoad Hill Walk — Sir John Barrow Monument, Ulverston Guide

Q: Where do you park for the Hoad Hill walk?

Use one of Ulverston's central pay-and-display car parks near Coronation Hall (LA12 7LZ), such as Brewery Street or Theatre Street. Ulverston also has its own railway station a short walk from the centre, making a car-free visit easy. From the town centre, simply follow the signs and the streets towards Hoad Hill to pick up the route.

Q: Can you go inside the Hoad Monument?

Yes, on selected days. The Sir John Barrow Monument is opened by volunteers, and the signal that it's open is the flag flying from the top — when you see it, you can climb the internal spiral staircase for an even better view. Opening days are limited and weather-dependent, so it's worth checking locally before you set out if going inside is important to you.

Q: What are the views like from the top of Hoad?

The summit gives a magnificent 360-degree panorama . To the south, the vast sands of Morecambe Bay stretch towards Blackpool Tower, visible on a clear day; to the north rise the Coniston fells and the southern skyline of the Lake District. It's one of the best low-level viewpoints in the Furness area, and the reason the short climb is so beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Walk Description

The walk up Hoad Hill to the Sir John Barrow Monument is the classic Ulverston outing — a short, rewarding climb from the heart of this characterful market town to the 'lighthouse on the hill' that crowns its skyline. Starting from the historic Coronation Hall, the route winds out through Ulverston's streets and up quiet back-tracks to the striking 100-foot tower, a landmark visible for miles across the Furness peninsula. From the top, the panorama is glorious: the shimmering sands of Morecambe Bay spread out to the south, the Coniston and Lakeland fells rise to the north, and on a clear day you can pick out Blackpool Tower far across the water. It's a gentle, family-friendly walk with a real sense of occasion — part town stroll, part fell climb, part history lesson — and it doubles as the perfect leg-stretch for anyone exploring the southern gateway to the Lake District. Compact, panoramic and steeped in local pride, Hoad is Ulverston's crowning glory.

Starting Point Coronation Hall, County Square, Ulverston (LA12 7LZ)

Key Landmarks Coronation Hall, Sir John Barrow Monument (The Hoad), St Mary's Church, Ford Park

01

Coronation Hall to the Hill

Begin at the handsome Coronation Hall ('the Coro') in the centre of Ulverston and make your way out through the town's charming streets towards the base of Hoad Hill. Ulverston is a proper old market town — cobbled lanes, independent shops and the birthplace of Stan Laurel — so allow a little time to enjoy the walk out. Following the quieter roads and the signed path, you leave the bustle behind and reach the foot of the open hill, where the Sir John Barrow Monument stands proud on the skyline ahead, beckoning you upward.

02

The Climb via the Back Track

There are two ways up: the direct stone steps, or the gentler, more scenic back track that curves around the hill. This guide takes the back track — a kinder, grassier ascent that's better for families and eases you up to the summit while the views steadily open out. The hill is grazed by sheep, so keep dogs on a lead. As you climb, the whole of the Furness peninsula begins to unfold below, with Morecambe Bay glinting to the south and the fells firming up on the northern horizon. It's a short pull, and the monument grows more impressive with every step.

03

The Summit & the Monument

At the top stands the Sir John Barrow Monument, known locally simply as 'the Hoad' — a 100-foot tower built in 1850 in the style of the Eddystone Lighthouse to honour the Ulverston-born statesman and founder of the Royal Geographical Society. Though it looks every inch a lighthouse, it has never held a light. The 360-degree view from the summit is the finest around: south over the sands of Morecambe Bay towards Blackpool Tower on a clear day, and north to the Coniston fells and the southern Lakeland skyline. If the flag is flying, the monument is open and you can climb its internal spiral staircase for an even higher viewpoint.

04

The Descent via Church Walk

For a satisfying circular finish rather than simply retracing your steps, descend by the main path towards St Mary's Church, Ulverston's fine parish church at the foot of the hill. This route brings you down past Ford Park, a lovely community green space with a café that makes a perfect post-walk coffee stop. From here, a short stroll returns you through the town to the Coronation Hall, completing a varied little loop that captures the best of Ulverston in under a couple of hours.

Route Essentials

Parking: Ulverston has several central pay-and-display car parks close to Coronation Hall (LA12 7LZ), including the Brewery Street and Theatre Street car parks. The town is also on the railway line, so it's an easy car-free trip.
Monument access: the monument only opens on selected days — check whether the flag is flying from the top, which signals it's open for visitors to climb the internal staircase. Opening is run by volunteers, so times vary.
Terrain & footwear: the hill tracks are grassy and can be muddy after rain, and the direct steps are steep. Comfortable walking shoes or boots with grip are recommended, especially in wet weather.
Livestock: Hoad Hill is grazed by sheep, so please keep dogs on a lead throughout the ascent and descent to protect the animals.
Facilities: there are no facilities on the hill itself, but Ulverston town centre has plenty of pubs, cafés and shops, and the Ford Park café on the descent is a popular refreshment stop.
Make a day of it: combine the walk with the Laurel and Hardy Museum in town, or start the Cumbria Way, the long-distance path that begins in Ulverston.
Safety Notice: The GPX file and route information on this page are for general guidance only. Always carry an OS map and compass, check the weather forecast, and tell someone your plans before setting out. You walk at your own risk.

Gallery

Hoad Hill Walk — Sir John Barrow Monument, Ulverston Guide

Route Map

Distance

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Ascent

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Difficulty Easy-moderate

Video Guide

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes or boots with grip
Waterproof jacket (exposed summit)
A warm layer — the top catches the wind
Water and a snack
Phone with the OS Maps app
Camera or binoculars for the bay views
Dog lead (sheep graze the hill)
A few coins for town parking
Sun protection on clear days

Best Time to Visit

Hoad is a rewarding walk in any season, but a clear, calm day is when it truly shines — that's when the views stretch from the Lakeland fells to Blackpool Tower across Morecambe Bay. Spring and autumn offer crisp light and quieter tracks, while summer is lovely for combining the walk with Ulverston's busy calendar of festivals. Try to catch a day when the monument's flag is flying so you can climb inside. Winter walks reward you with dramatic low sun over the bay, though the grassy tracks can be muddy and the summit is exposed and breezy.

Local Weather (yr.no)

Three-day weather forecast for Hoad Hill Walk — Sir John Barrow Monument, Ulverston Guide

Forecast provided by yr.no

Safety Information

Important: The GPX file and route description on this page are for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as a sole means of navigation. GPX tracks are approximate and may not reflect current ground conditions, path diversions, or seasonal changes.

Always carry an Ordnance Survey map and a compass, and know how to use them. Check the weather forecast before setting out, tell someone your planned route and expected return time, and wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions.

UKLakeDistrict.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the use of route information or GPX files provided on this site. You walk entirely at your own risk.

Route Essentials

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Hoad Hill walk take?

The circular walk from Coronation Hall up to the monument and back takes most people 1.5 to 2 hours, covering about 4.2 km (2.6 miles) with a modest 120 m of ascent. It's an easy-to-moderate outing suitable for families, with just a short steeper section on the climb. Allow extra time to enjoy the summit views and, if the flag is flying, to climb inside the monument.

Where do you park for the Hoad Hill walk?

Use one of Ulverston's central pay-and-display car parks near Coronation Hall (LA12 7LZ), such as Brewery Street or Theatre Street. Ulverston also has its own railway station a short walk from the centre, making a car-free visit easy. From the town centre, simply follow the signs and the streets towards Hoad Hill to pick up the route.

Can you go inside the Hoad Monument?

Yes, on selected days. The Sir John Barrow Monument is opened by volunteers, and the signal that it's open is the flag flying from the top — when you see it, you can climb the internal spiral staircase for an even better view. Opening days are limited and weather-dependent, so it's worth checking locally before you set out if going inside is important to you.

Why does Ulverston have a lighthouse?

The tower on Hoad Hill looks like a lighthouse but is actually a 100-foot memorial built in 1850 to honour Sir John Barrow, an Ulverston-born statesman and founder of the Royal Geographical Society. It was deliberately designed as a replica of the famous Eddystone Lighthouse, and though it serves as a landmark for ships in Morecambe Bay it has never held a working light — a beacon here would often be lost in low cloud.

Is the Hoad Hill walk dog friendly?

Yes, it's a popular walk with dog owners, but the hill is grazed by sheep, so dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the ascent and descent. The route also passes through the town at the start and finish, so a lead is sensible there too. There's a café at Ford Park on the descent where you can pause with a well-behaved dog.

What are the views like from the top of Hoad?

The summit gives a magnificent 360-degree panorama. To the south, the vast sands of Morecambe Bay stretch towards Blackpool Tower, visible on a clear day; to the north rise the Coniston fells and the southern skyline of the Lake District. It's one of the best low-level viewpoints in the Furness area, and the reason the short climb is so beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Is Ulverston worth visiting?

Absolutely. Ulverston is a vibrant 'festival town' and a quieter alternative to the busier Lakeland honeypots. It's the birthplace of Stan Laurel and home to the world's only Laurel and Hardy Museum, with a maze of independent shops, traditional pubs, and a packed calendar of events. It also marks the start of the Cumbria Way, making it a great base for exploring the southern Lake District — and the Hoad walk is the perfect introduction.

Is the Hoad Hill walk suitable for children?

Yes — it's a great family walk. The distance is short, the gentler back track avoids the steep steps, and children love the mystery of the 'lighthouse that isn't a lighthouse' at the top. Keep little ones close near the summit and on the steps, hold the lead on the sheep-grazed slopes, and reward the climb with a stop at the Ford Park café on the way down.

Hoad Hill Walk — Sir John Barrow Monument, Ulverston Guide

Town Walk · Ulverston · Sir John Barrow Monument (100ft)