A PROUD piece of Ulverston heritage has been brought back to life thanks to the painstaking efforts of local restoration experts.

Over the years Sir John Barrow's Cottage gradually fell into a state of dilapidation. However, after a united effort was made by the Town Council and a local archaeology firm, the historic building has been restored for future generations to enjoy.

At the end of September a ceremony was held at the cottage to mark its reopening. Ulverston mayor Councillor Paul Smith cut the ribbon before invited guests were taken inside to see the scale of the work.

Photos show how the once-damp and decaying rooms have been transformed back to their original condition. This was made possible due to the care and attention lavished on the cottage by restorers Greenlane Archaeology.

Dan Elsworth, director at Greenlane, said: "The cottage is owned by Ulverston Town Council and had lain empty for several years but after a public consultation overwhelmingly supported retaining the building, ideas were sought for new uses.

"Greenlane Archaeology, who have been based in Ulverston for 12 years, have now taken on the lease and working in conjunction with the Ulverston and District Civic Society, local artists, and historical re-enactors is re-opening the cottage as a museum dedicated to Sir John Barrow. It will also form an artists’ work space and events venue."

The cottage is one of the oldest buildings in Ulverston dating back roughly 500 years. The building in Dragley Beck was the birthplace of renowned local explorer Sir John Barrow who lived between 1764 and 1848.

Some of the most urgent work required at the cottage was the complete repair of the roof as well as repainting of the interior and exterior walls. Damp had damaged the original paintwork and the wear and tear of South Lakes weather had taken its toll on the building's exterior.

After the interior was refurbished, a new exhibition explaining the life and work of Sir John Barrow was installed.

Now that the work has come to an end the cottage will be open to the public.

It will be open on Thursdays between 11am and 4pm and Sundays between 1pm and 5pm. Admission will be £1.20 for adults and just 60p for concessions.

The cottage will also be used for special town events including the Dickensian Festival and others throughout the festival season.

Sir John Barrow: an explorer and a pioneer

SIR John Barrow could not have had a more humble upbringing when he was born in the hamlet of Dragley Beck in 1764.

The young John was the son of a tanner in the then parish of Ulverston. He was a bright child who excelled at mathematics. At the extraordinarily young age of 13 he left school and by 16 had joined a whaling expedition to Greenland.

This set him on the course that would define the rest of his life. After returning to England he spent his 20s working as a tutor but soon through his connections found himself travelling to China in 1792.

He travelled the globe on diplomatic missions and was in 1802 appointed Second Secretary to the Admiralty. This was a role he would hold for 40 years.

Following the Napoleonic Wars he was a huge supporter of British exploration. He himself surveyed West Africa and travelled to the polar regions trying to find the fabled North West Passage.

In 1830 he was one of the founders of the Royal Geographical Society.

In 1845 he retired from public life to write his diaries and catalogue his arctic journeys.

He died in London in 1848 aged 84.