STAINTON WITH ADGARLEY

Stainton with Adgarley is comprised of 2 picturesque villages sitting either side of a former congregational church now used as Stainton Recreation Hall.

The larger village, Stainton, is historically a mining village which has grown around a 9 acre Village Green which is covered in Limestone erratics from glacial times, a fantastic amenity which many generations of children have used as an adventure playground.

Adgarley with Devonshire Quarry behindAdgarley is a cluster of a dozen houses which grew round a mine many years ago. It held the tiny village school which was later used as a church, known as the Mission Room and more recently became a residence.

Local children now use Low Furness Primary School with Secondary children having a choice of Dowdales in Dalton or Ulverston Victoria High School.

Limestone is the main feature of this area with Stainton Quarry lying to the north of the villages. It has been in existence for over 100 years and was originally 2 quarries now worked as one producing high purity stone for export and the local construction industry.

It was originally formed from extensive Iron ore mining in the Low Furness area. The Ore and Limestone were transported to the Barrow Steel works via railway from Stainton Quarry and old mine workings are still evident in the locality. The quarry has an access road to the West of the villages and the current owners, Tarmac Northern, are very considerate towards the village and it has very little impact on village life.

Other historical interest comes from many Stone and Bronze age finds of Querns, axe heads, bronze tools, burial urns and settlement sites. There is evidence in the middle of the village green of a Cock Pit and the oldest property, Stainton Hall has a date stone of 1658.

The predominantly agricultural use of the surrounding land allows an abundance of flora and fauna, indigenous to limestone habitats including, Common and Bee Orchids, many species of butterfly, bats, newts and rare bird – a nature lovers paradise.