Barrow Monument

ULVERSTON

SD27NE HOAD HILL 626-1/1/36 Barrow Monument 02/03/50

II*

Seamark and monument to Sir John Barrow. 1850. Designed by Mr Andrew Trimen. Limestone ashlar (from Birkrigg Quarry), with shaft now rendered. Built to resemble a lighthouse, over 30m high and set on the summit of Hoad Hill. Above a projecting plain cornice is a lantern with round-arched openings, capped by a cornice and ashlar dome. Narrow slit openings in the shaft light the stair. On the west side is the entrance doorway. The lintel is inscribed: 'IN HONOUR OF SIR JOHN BARROW, BART. ERECTED A.D. 1850.' Above is a panel carved with his shield and crest. INTERIOR: not inspected. Said originally to contain a circular apartment on the ground floor, with a marble bust over the doorway, Portland stone sculpture attached to the walls, a plate engraved with names of subscribers, and an inscription around the domed roof. The lantern said to be reached by a flight of limestone steps with an iron balustrade and to have pilasters engraved with the names of distinguished Arctic voyagers. HISTORICAL NOTE: Sir John Barrow was born at Dragley Beck Cottage (qv) in 1764. He travelled to China and to South Africa, became Secretary to the Admiralty in 1804, promoted expeditions to the Arctic, and died in 1848 at the age of 85. (Rimmer, Revd JS: The Story of Ulverston: Ulverston: 1925-: 20).

Listing NGR: SD2946079072