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Biggar Bank, Walney Island


Biggar Bank is a settlement and beach resort on Walney Island, south of Vickerstown and north-west of Biggar Village. Prior to the mid-19th century, Biggar Bank was primarily a sparsely populated farming area. However, with the rapid growth in the population of Barrow-in-Furness associated with industrialisation, increasing numbers of people came via ferries to spend their leisure time at the beach on the island. The farmers of Biggar put up fences, but these were pulled down, and in 1876 there was a mass trespass at Biggar Bank. At that time, Walney Island had recently become part of the County Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in 1872, and soon after the mass trespass, the council rented, then purchased the land at Biggar Bank.[1] The council spent £4,000 (£610,000 in todays value, in 2024) to develop Biggar Bank into a recreational area, which was opened in April, 1883. The developments included a Pavilion and a shelter (the shelter was at the site now occupied by the Roundhouse community hub and café). The Castle House Hotel was established sometime before 1890. Access to Biggar Bank grew with the building of Walney (Jubilee) Bridge in 1908, and the Barrow-in-Furness tramway was extended to Biggar Bank in 1911. Photographs (Sankey Collection), show motorcycle racing at Biggar Bank in the 1920s.

Walney Island Biggar Bank Pavilion (1883 - 1975) Castle House, Biggar Bank
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from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Biggar Bank Walney Island - c.1921
- Looking SE down Biggar Bank towards pavilion. Large number of people on beach and foreshore. Group of houses to left.....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), available …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Biggar Bank on Whit Monday 1907
- Photo 20 May 1907. Immense crowd, hardly any space, all in posh clothes and virtually all wearing some sort of headgear.....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Biggar Bank on Whit Monday - 1907
- Photo 20 May 1907. Immense crowd, hardly any space, all in posh clothes and virtually all wearing some sort of headgear. Many are looking at the camera. Some leaning on …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Biggar Bank, Walney Island - c.1907
- Groups of families sat on the grass above the pebble beach. All are wearing hats. Most of the females are wearing very light colours. Pavilion café and Castle House Hotel …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
On Biggar Bank, Walney Island, Aug 17/08.
- Photo, 17 Aug 1908. A posed group of mainly children looking at the camera. The child in the girl's arms in the centre is Raymond Sankey.....Image from the Sankey Family …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
The Swings, Biggar Bank, Walney Island - 1908
- Photo 17 Aug 1908. Children at the swings, Castle House Hotel in far background with the Pavilion to the left edge....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
Playground off Biggar Bank Road, Walney Island
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
Round House Hub and Cafe, Walney Island
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
Walney West Shore at Biggar Bank
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Inauguration of Trams to Biggar Bank - 4 Aug 1911
- One garlanded trams with flowers and flags at Biggar Bank with people looking on. 5 passengers still on tram, all standing....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Inauguration of Trams to Biggar Bank - 4 Aug 1911
- View looking at tram with people on upper deck. Many people formed in a U facing the camera....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), available under a …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Inauguration of Trams to Biggar Bank - 4 Aug 1911
- View looking north at marquee with two garlanded trams in the background. Children on the grass.....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), available under a Creative Commons …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Motor Racing at Biggar Bank - 1924
- Photograph, 30-Aug-1924. Spectators gathered around the start line of a motorcycle race. A motorcycle is on the start line....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), available under …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.cumbriacountyhist…
Walney Island
- Island off Barrow-in-Furness, historically part of Hawcoat township in Dalton-in-Furness parish, Lonsdale hundred, Lancashire North of the Sands. .... Population: 339 in 1871 rising to 474 in 1891 but expanding …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://www.sankeyphotoarchiv…
Tank, Biggar Bank - c.1920
- Looking west out to sea at the north end of Biggar Bank. Tank mounted on stones facing out to sea.....Image from the Sankey Family Photograph Collection (c/o Cumbria Archives), available …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from Flickr (flickr)
Biggar Bank
Pinned by Simon Cotterill

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Geo / Heritage Meta Data

County: Cumbria
Grid ref: SD1803467260
Unitary Auth: Westmorland & Furness

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