Tower power may make great attraction for users of car hire at Manchester Airport

There are many good reasons for those using car hire at Manchester Airport to head up to Cumbria, but while the lakes and mountains are popular with tourists, another visitor attraction may appeal as it has just been given a fresh lease of life.

Celebrations have been taking place in the town of Ulverston in the south of the county as the Sir John Barrow monument has re-opened, after being declared unsafe and closed in 2003.

Repair work has been carried out and this means the 160 ft (49 metre) high lighthouse-like tower, which overlooks Morecambe Bay, is now open to visitors again.

Ulverston offers other reasons to visit as well, including its limestone pavements and the Stan Laurel Museum, commemorating the fact that half of the famous comedy double act was born in the town.

To get to Ulverston, take the M56 and then A5103 from the airport towards the heart of Manchester, joining the M60 orbital motorway, heading north-westerly to Junction 15.

From here, join the M61, which will subsequently join the M6 heading north into Cumbria as far as Junction 36, where you should leave the motorway and take the A590 to Ulverston.

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