The region has some very old towns like Dalton and Ulverston and newer ones such as Barrow-in-Furness and Grange-over-Sands that grew up for specific reasons (iron and tourism respectively). There are dozens of small and medium-sized villages with fascinating histories, like Flookburgh, Coniston, Elterwater and Broughton-in-Furness.

FLOOKBURGH - The main street of the village has building styles ranging from the early 1600's to the 1990's. A short walk westwards leads to Sandgate, the shores of the Leven Estuary and the old crossing to Ulverston "over the sands". Robert the Bruce came this way and burnt Flookburgh to the ground in the 14th century. Further plagues and fires later took their toll in the 17th century, yet the essence of the Main Street remains much as it always was.

BARROW-IN-FURNESS - Gone are the Victorian industrial images of steel and heavy shipbuilding on which Barrow was founded. Barrow is changing itself into a modern attractive town with a high-tech submarine hall and modern industrial units. The old slag banks are being transformed into grassland areas and paths with beautiful views.

ELTERWATER VILLAGE - Elterwater has several car parks but virtually no shops but is always extremely busy. The attraction is the superb walking the area offers and a tarn bearing the same name.