27/04/2022
The history of Ulverston begins around AD430 when the Saxons took over from the departing Romans, at the beginning of the ‘Dark Ages’, a period where no records exist and very little is known.
Ulverston was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Ulvrestun, deriving from an Old Norse family name Úlfarr meaning ‘wolf warrior’ and tun meaning ‘farm’ or ‘homestead’. Ulverston was in the county of Lancashire, only becoming part of Cumbria as late as 1974.
On 11th September 1280 the town was granted a Market Charter by King Edward I during his visit to Carlisle. This gave authority for a market to be held in Ulverston every Thursday with an annual fair each September. This important event in Ulverston’s history is still celebrated every year during September’s Charter Festival.
Modern Ulverston retains its old world appearance with many colourful houses and quaint cobbled streets leading from the square. Alongside the weekly Thursday and Saturday markets you’ll find unique shops and cafes, cosy country pubs, farmers’ markets and food fairs. Ulverston also hosts a wide range of events and festivals and is pleased to welcome visitors from all over the world.
The town’s most famous son Stan Laurel who, in partnership with Oliver Hardy, became one of the most famous comedy duos in the 20th century. A bronze life-size statue of Laurel and Hardy and a museum dedicated to Laurel and Hardy can be found in the town. Arthur Stanley Jefferson, was born in his grandparents’ house on 16 June 1890 at 3 Argyle Street, Ulverston, Cumbria. Only a 1 minute walk away from Another Fine B&B!
He had two brothers and a sister. Laurel first appeared with his future partner, Oliver Hardy, in The Lucky Dog (1921), which was filmed in 1919, but not released until 1921. He visited Ulverston in 1947 when he appeared on the Coronation Hall Balcony with Oliver Hardy. He died in America on 23 February 1965, aged 74.