Walking to Health

New Doorstep Walks launched

Discover parts of the Borough that you didn't know existed!  Click on the image above to download a copy of the new Doorstep Walks pack.  If you want a nice new shiny pack, contact Richard at Cumbria CVS. 

Please click here to view the new Feet First in Furness walk programme leaflet

We can organise a walk for your event

If anyone is holding a conference or special event we can provide a led group walk based in the Town Centre for delegates to enjoy an organised walk out to Barrow Island, the Park or Channelside.  Contact Richard at Cumbria CVS

Feet First in Furness Get on Track Coastal Railway Walks

The Get on Track railway-based walks continue on the second Wednesday each month* throughout 2012. 

Join a group of people enjoying trips out to walks, accessible from Barrow Station and timed to start around 10.30am. 

Get on Track Walks 2012

Jan 11th – Dalton Station - Abbey Greenway-Roose - Barrow Station - Walk starts 1030am  Dep. Barrow Stn. 1016am

Feb 8th - Askam - Dunnerholme – Kirkby-in-Furness Station.  Walk starts 1030am.  Dep. Barrow Stn. 1010am

March 14th – Grange Stn. - Eggerslack Wood – Lindale – Grange Stn. Walk starts 1050am. Dep. Barrow Stn. 1016am

April10th – Millom – Hodbarrow – Millom – Green Rd Station  Walk starts 1045am.  Dep. Barrow Stn. 1010am

May 2nd – Foxfield - Broughton – old railway – Foxfield. Walk starts 1035. Dep. Ulverston 0942am, Barrow 1010am

Ulverston Walking Festival 27th April – 6th May

June 13th – Barrow Station – Sandscale – Channelside – Barrow Station.      Walk starts at Barrow Station at 1030am

July 11th  Roose Station – Cavendish Dock – Dock Museum  Walk starts Roose Station at 1030am.  Dep. Barrow 1016am
Barrow Walking Festival all July

August 8th  Cark Station. – West Plain - Cowpren Point - Cark  Walk starts at Cark Station at 1040am. Dep. Barrow 1016am

September 12th Ulverston Station.– Conishead – Sand Hall – Canal –Ulverst. Stn.   Walk starts at 1030am - Dep. Barrow 1016am

October 10th  Green Road Station – Millom – Hodbarrow Point – Millom Stn.  Walk starts at 1040am - Dep. Barrow 1010am

November 14th Kirkby Station – Foxfield – Broughton – Foxfield Stn.   Walk starts at 1025am - Dep. Barrow 1010am

December 12th Kents Bank Station – Middle Fell – Charney Well – Grange promenade and Kents Bank Stationn.   Walk starts at 1050am - Dep. Barrow 1016am

*  Except May 2nd to fit in Ulverston Walking Festival


For further information contact Richard Scott, Cumbria CVS Barrow on 825630 or by email

In the Barrow-in-Furness District: FEET FIRST IN FURNESS

What Is It All About?

The Feet First project aims to encourage those who are inactive to take their first steps in becoming more active. It aims to increase participation and promote the benefits of walking in the Furness area to improve physical, social and emotional well-being.

The walks that are available are group led by trained volunteer walk leaders.

Why Walking?

  • Walking is free and fun
  • For our walks you do not need special clothing or footwear
  • Group walks give you the chance to make new friends
  • Regular walking can improve confidence, energy, weight control, stamina and life expectancy
  • Walking can reduce the risk of such things as coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, osteoporosis and arthritis

What Is A Health Walk?

A health walk is any type of walking that makes you breathe a little faster, makes you feel warmer and makes your heart beat slightly faster. Gentle strolling is a good start for people not used to exercise.

Current recommendations are for 30 minutes moderate exercise 5 times per week. Walking fits in to this. Ideally this should be one continuous session but initially could be divided into 3 periods of 10 minutes or 2 periods of 15 minutes.

Start small and build up. Come to our walks and let us assist you to reach these targets.

Walking Advice

  • Wear sensible shoes
  • Drink a glass of water before and after your walk or bring a drink with you
  • If you have a history of heart trouble or other significant medical illness, talk to your doctor before you start
  • Stop walking if you experience unusual symptoms, such as chest pain, dizziness or breathlessness and consult your doctor
  • Why not invite your friends, family or work work colleagues to join you when you go walking

All Levels of Fitness Welcome

All walks are...

  • Wheelchair and push chair friendly
  • Free of charge
  • Last between 30 minutes and 1 hour
  • On hard and dry ground and are mainly flat
  • Take place whatever weather
  • We will be there to welcome you

If you have not been on a health walk before, please come 5 minutes before the advertised start time. You will be asked to fill in a short health check questionnaire.

Please click here to view maps of the Doorstep Walks.  You can also view walks by inputting your postcode on Walk4Life Website

Could you be a Volunteer Walk Leader?

We always need more trained walk leaders.  It's a great way to keep healthy and make new friends.  If you might be interested, please contact Richard Scott for further information.

Programme of Walks

'Feet First' Furness led walks, for more information please click here

Gentle walks in the Barrow area designed to provide a weekly opportunity for exercise for groups of people.

Length about 1.5 miles, time usually 40-50 minutes.

Starting points are:

Mondays:
Dalton Tudor Square 11:00am - walks round the old town

Tuesdays:
ASDA foyer 11:00am - Channelside walk or Ormsgill reservoir

Wednesdays:
Walney Mill Lane Shops 2.00pm - Walney Shoreline

Thursdays:
Greengate Street NCH Cafe 10:30am - Barrow Park

Fridays:
Ulverston Rose Garden Victoria Rd 11:00am  - 5 different 1 hour led walks

Trained leaders will meet you on arrival at the starting point.

Pocket packs with details of 16 independent walks of similar level from the Cumbia CVS office 72 Scott Street and Barrow TIC. 

More local walks

Visit here for Dalton walks


FFF works as part of the Active Living for All project - ALFA - and is supported by Cumbria CVS, Cumbria PCT and Natural England.

Contact Details

If you would like any further information about the Walking the Way to Health scheme in Furness, or would be interested in becoming a Volunteer Walk Leader please contact:

Richard Scott
Cumbria CVS,
Lesser Kings Hall,
Hartington Street,
Barrow-in-Furness
Tel: 01229 823144