ULVERSTON. A Dickens Of A Day out.

23/11/19 ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas '19

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Coronation Hall. The Laurel & Hardy staue, note the small dog taking Olli’s trousers to task. The Coronation Hall, amongst other events, is the home of the Ulverston Beer Festival, which is on my To Do list……. Ulverston was Stan Laurel’s birthplace and the pair did return towards the end of their careers, appearing on the Coronation Hall’s balcony.

Right, so where was I? This is the follow on from the post about my coffee and teacake in Arnside. ( There will be a link thing at the bottom for that. )

After that quick refuelling it was down to the station at Arnside and onto the train to Ulverston. On a side note, this is a really attractive train journey, travelling as it does around the top edge of Morecambe Bay on it’s way to Barrow in Furness. The route continues on from Barrow right around the Cumbrian coast, finishing at the border town of Carlisle. It’s definitely a packed lunch type of journey but worth it for the fantastic views across the Irish sea.

But to return, the journey to the market town of Ulverston is about twenty minutes and the railway station is an easy ten minutes walk from the town centre. So stepping down from the train I was wafted back to Victorian times. The town was a top hat and crinoline event horizon. On my first visit a few years ago I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I was bowled over by how much effort the town puts into it. This isn’t the couple of stalls on a car park kind of thing, the whole town centre is given over to it. Helped in no small part by Ulverston’s beautifully quaint architecture, and winding streets.

The event is spread over the weekend and as well as the gift stalls and food stalls, there’s a line up of entertainment too. A stage is set up for bands and the judging of the fancy dress parade and best whiskers, this last has to been seen, it’s hard to explain. And roving entertainers and other street urchins help to jolly things along.

Ulverston is a busy town on the year round events front, as well as being the birthplace of Stan Laurel. The Roxy cinema is home to the Laurel & Hardy Museum. So that’s another fine mess you can get into.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Fine whiskers on Queen Street.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Market Street crowds.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. New Market Street stalls. The town’s lovely market hall is just along this street, its one where you can actually buy things you want! Food, utensils etc.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Mulled wine on the Market Square. Sorry, if you can’t get mulled wine it aint a Christmas Market.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Crowds on Theatre Street. Burgers, essential, portable food if you want to take in as much as possible. This is Theatre Street car park which is mostly given over to being a food court with a seating area down the centre. THat said, you aren’t short of places to eat of all types in the town.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Crowds on Theatre Street carpark. The food stalls all around in the background. Hmmm, the sweet smell of those well cooked onions. There is a wide choice available but I’m a bit of a burger traditionalist on these occasions.

09. 23-11-19 ULVERSTON. Top Hats On Market Street

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Let’s face it, you’re a nobody if you don’t have a top hat.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Theatre Street, Miss Havisham decided to have a day out. As you will see the fancy dress aspect is taken quite seriously.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. The mobile pianoman entertains the crowds by the Coronation Hall. A sort of Victorian Spotify before the technology caught up.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. More Mobile Music in the street by the Coronation Hall. A double bass on wheels is a thing of an odd beauty.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Theatre Street. Elegance & Chimney Sweep.

ULVERSTON. Dickensian Christmas 2019. Thetare Street stage, Rock & Ruin. I think they’re Rock & Ruin, my note taking goes a bit awry from time to time. Anyway they were very good.