Great Urswick is an ancient village nestling beneath steeply rising ground, with a 5.7 hectare Marl Tarn at its centre, the largest natural body of water in Low Furness, which was formed by glacial action and is now an important ecological asset. It is certainly a wonderful view to look upon if entering the village from Birkrigg Common.
The village has an active and welcoming community feel, with many groups and activities taking place at either the Parish Hall or the Recreation Hall that can be found between Great and Little Urswick. Low Furness Primary School is a popular and successful primary serving the local villages, alongside which is a fantastic Children’s play park, which is maintained by the Urswick Playground Association.
The village is also served by a fantastic pub, The General Burgoyne with landlady Jo and the team there (along with the locals!), certain to make you feel welcome. They serve good food including the traditional ‘Pie and Peas are lovely tonight’. Within the pub, there are Ladies’ and Men’s darts teams, and the pub also hosts community events and fundraisers throughout the year.
The village of Great Urswick bears some significant history- In 2023 it was confirmed that a human bone and a periwinkle shell bead found in Heaning Wood Bone Cave in Great Urswick, were about 11,000 years old, representing “clear evidence of Mesolithic burials in the north [of England]”. There are many visible remains of Prehistoric settlements, including a univallate hill fort known as Skelmore Heads, on the hills overlooking the village.
There is also much history of a Roman presence within the village, with multiple findings over the years from detectorists, including Roman coins and pieces of sandstone not found in this area, bearing tool marks similar to those found at Hadrian’s Wall.
Farming is a big part of the village, with multiple farms within or surrounding the village and this agricultural work is showcased and celebrated annually with the Ulverston and North Londsdale County show being held only a mile from the village.
Parish Church
The parish church of St. Mary and St. Michael is believed to have its origins as far back as the 7th or 8th Century and therefore pre-dates the rich and hugely influential Cistercian Furness Abbey, found on the outskirts of Barrow-in-Furness, by a considerable margin. The structure has been upgraded many times over the ages, but its great age touches the senses of all who visit this centre of spirituality and is sometimes open to visitors.
