Discover Lindal in Furness

Lindal in Furness is best explored through its mining history. Iron ore mining, geological traces and places at the heart of village life each offer a different perspective. Iron ore was mined in the Lindal Moor area by 1220 at the latest; Lindal-in-Furness is also recorded as a grange of Furness Abbey in 1220. In the 19th and 20th centuries, iron ore mining was the main industry in Lindal and Marton. Exploring the area can help you distinguish early evidence of mining from its much later economic importance.

Ore, rock and a circular trail

The main type of iron ore found in Lindal and Marton is haematite, known for its blood-red colour. In Lindal Moor, the main haematite ore bodies followed northwest-trending fault lines through the limestone. This geological context adds the relationship between ore and rock to the history of mining. The top-slicing method left large depressions in the ground above the Lindal mines, many of which are still visible today. These visible depressions give the mining history a landscape dimension.

The Furness Haematite Trail is a 25-mile circular route that takes in sites associated with more than 20 mines and two ironworks. Its length and the number of industrial sites give the route a clear focus on mining history. Route information may change, so check the current route before setting off.

Other chapters in the village’s history

Another historical episode has a precise date: on 1 October 1643, a battle took place near Lindal Close between the Furness Royalists and a Parliamentary force. It belongs to a different period from the early record of the grange and the later prominence of iron ore mining. Exploring Lindal lets you set this precisely dated event alongside longer-term developments.

The Green also has its own history: in 1887, a former tarn was filled in with mine spoil and material from a local quarry. The site recalls the former landscape and materials from mining and quarrying. The Green and neighbouring Buccleuch Hall provide space for Lindal’s annual village fêtes and other special events. If you would like to explore village life as well as its industrial sites, these two places offer a useful point of reference.

Church and places to visit

St Peter’s Church in Lindal was consecrated in 1886, replacing a temporary iron church dating from 1875. The mine model was first displayed at Barrow’s Dock Museum and was later moved to St Peter’s Church in Lindal. The dates put the church’s construction in context, while the model provides another link to the mining history. If you are planning to visit the church, check access before you travel.

The Wax Lyrical factory shop in Lindal is open to visitors; check the current opening hours before you travel. The Wax Lyrical candles and home fragrance products sold in the Lindal shop are expertly made in the Lake District. The range may change. If you are looking for a particular product, it is worth checking the current selection before your visit. The shop adds a connection to local manufacturing and retail to the area’s historical sites.

Discover more destinations: Temple Sowerby, Cotehill, Ravenglass, Alston, Milnthorpe, Burneside, Mealsgate, Greystoke

For the regional travel overview: Cumbria.