Kents Bank Station Library, on the Furness Line between Lancaster and Barrow, has been honoured with a prestigious ‘Lancastrian Award.’

Covering the area traditionally known as ‘Lancashire North of the Sands’, the award recognises the library’s dedication to the North of England’s railway heritage and history.

Since its opening in January 2024, the library has welcomed visitors from across the region and beyond. Guests can explore an extensive collection of books on railway and wider transport history, enjoy a growing lending section, and browse books and model railway equipment for sale.

The library hosts regular exhibitions, informal talks at its ‘Mutual Improvement Class’, poetry readings, and offers complimentary refreshments at the pop-up station buffet. It also recently published a collection of railway ghost stories, set in the North West of England.

Professor Paul Salveson, manager of the library, said: “We are really thrilled to receive this recognition. Kents Bank was part of the ancient North Lonsdale Hundred and remains part of the historic County Palatine of Lancashire, though it transferred to the administrative area of Cumbria in 1974 and more recently became part of Westmorland and Furness Council.

“Many local people, as well as visitors from Grange, Ulverston, Barrow, Broughton and surrounding communities, still strongly identify as Lancastrians. But we welcome visitors from anywhere and everywhere, – recently we have had visitors from Budapest, the Isle of Skye and Switzerland!”

A representative from the Friends of Real Lancashire, organisers of the awards, said: “This award is a testament to the vibrant community that supports Kents Bank Station Library. We hope this award will entice even more visitors in the future! Congratulations to everyone at Kents Bank Station Library.”

The library and adjoining Beach Hut Gallery are open every Friday to Monday, 11am to 4pm.

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Kents Bank Station Library via their website.