Mortgage Advice in Broughton-in-Furness: Property, Schools & Local Area Guide
Broughton-in-Furness
A buyer’s guide to Broughton-in-Furness — property prices and council tax, schools and their real Ofsted position, transport, healthcare, flood risk, the local lending realities, and the questions worth asking before you commit.
- Quick Answers
- Prices
- Market
- Why Broughton-in-Furness
- Transport
- Schools
- Police & Fire
- Areas
- Healthcare
- Flood
- History
- Beyond the Mortgage
- FAQs
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Figures in this guide were correct when it was produced and do change. Always verify council tax with the local council, school ratings with Ofsted and journey times with the operator before you rely on them. This guide is information, not financial or mortgage advice.
Mortgage Advice in Broughton-in-Furness: Property, Schools & Local Area Guide
Whether you’re buying your first home in Broughton-in-Furness, remortgaging, upsizing or simply researching this tiny, historic market town at the foot of the Duddon valley on the edge of the Lake District National Park — with its handsome Georgian Square, its market obelisk, fish slabs and old village stocks, Wordsworth’s beloved River Duddon on the doorstep and the quiet western Lakes all around — this guide covers what buyers and homeowners actually want to know.
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Quick answers about Broughton-in-Furness
Click any question to expand the full detail and sources.
Is Broughton-in-Furness a good place to live?⌄
Yes, if you want peace and beauty — a tiny, historic western-Lakes market town on the edge of the National Park at the foot of the Duddon valley, though it is genuinely remote and far from a full A&E.
Yes — if what you want is genuine peace, history and Lakeland beauty. Broughton-in-Furness is a tiny, characterful market town in the far south-west of Cumbria (LA20), on the edge of the Lake District National Park at the foot of the lovely Duddon valley, which Wordsworth celebrated in his Duddon sonnets. Its heart is a handsome Georgian Square, with a stone market obelisk raised in 1810, old fish slabs and village stocks, ringed by Georgian houses and chestnut trees. It is a gateway to the quiet western Lakes, with fells, the Duddon estuary and the coast all close by. The things to weigh honestly are that it is genuinely remote — there is no useful railway station in the town (Foxfield, about a mile and a half away, is a small stop), and the nearest full 24-hour A&E is at Furness General in Barrow, around twenty miles away — and that being on the edge of the National Park brings real planning constraints on what you can build or change.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broughton-in-Furness | rightmove.co.uk — Broughton-in-Furness
Is Broughton-in-Furness expensive?⌄
Mixed — period cottages in a National-Park-edge setting command a premium, but its remoteness keeps prices below the central Lakes; averages often around £220,000–£320,000.
Broughton-in-Furness has an unusual market: it is a tiny, sought-after historic town in a beautiful National-Park-edge setting, so its Georgian houses and stone cottages can command a real premium, yet its genuine remoteness keeps overall prices below the central Lake District honeypots. Overall averages are often in the region of £220,000 to £320,000, with smaller cottages and terraces the accessible way in (frequently around £180,000 to £250,000), larger houses and semis commonly £280,000 to £400,000, and substantial period, detached and rural or valley homes running from around £400,000 well beyond £600,000. It draws downsizers, retirees, second-home and holiday-let buyers, remote workers and those seeking a quiet Lakeland life, so demand for the limited stock is strong. Always verify current prices via Land Registry data or independent valuation advice for the exact property.
Sources: rightmove.co.uk — Broughton-in-Furness | landregistry.data.gov.uk
Does Broughton-in-Furness have a railway station?⌄
Not usefully — there is no station in the town; Foxfield (~1.5 miles, Cumbrian Coast line) is the nearest, a small limited-service stop.
Not really, and it is important to be honest about this. Broughton-in-Furness has no railway station of its own. The nearest is Foxfield, about a mile and a half away towards the coast, a small stop on the Cumbrian Coast line where services are limited and some are request stops; from there trains run south to Barrow and north up the coast towards Millom, Whitehaven and Carlisle. For most journeys, though, this is a car-dependent town: the A595 is the main road, linking south towards Barrow and the A590 and north up the western fringe of the Lakes. There are some local buses, but they are infrequent. If reliable public transport is essential to you, Broughton’s remoteness is a genuine consideration. Always check current timetables before relying on a specific journey.
Sources: thetrainline.com — Foxfield station
What is Broughton-in-Furness known for?⌄
Its Georgian Square with the 1810 market obelisk, fish slabs and stocks, the Duddon valley (Wordsworth’s sonnets) and being a gateway to the quiet western Lakes.
Broughton-in-Furness is known above all for its handsome Georgian Square — one of the most complete small market squares in Cumbria — with its stone market obelisk raised in 1810 to mark the golden jubilee of George III, the old stone fish slabs where the town’s fish market was held, and the village stocks, all ringed by Georgian houses and chestnut trees. It sits at the foot of the beautiful Duddon valley, whose river Wordsworth celebrated in his sequence of Duddon sonnets, and it is a gateway to the quiet, unspoilt western Lakes, away from the central-Lakes crowds. Its market charter dates back centuries, and it retains a genuine, unspoilt market-town character in a superb Lakeland setting.
Where is the nearest A&E to Broughton-in-Furness?⌄
Furness General Hospital, Barrow (~20 miles), has the nearest 24-hour Type-1 A&E — Broughton is genuinely remote from full emergency care.
This is an honest and important point, and part of the trade-off of Broughton’s beautiful remoteness. Broughton-in-Furness has no A&E and no hospital of its own, and the nearest full 24-hour Type-1 major A&E is at Furness General Hospital in Barrow-in-Furness, around twenty miles south, run by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. The West Cumberland Hospital at Whitehaven (further north up the coast) is the other Type-1 A&E in the wider area. Broughton itself has GP provision for day-to-day care, but for a serious emergency the distance to full A&E is real. As NHS services can be reconfigured and travel times vary, always confirm the current arrangements directly with the NHS — and weigh the remoteness carefully, especially for families with young children and older buyers.
Sources: uhmb.nhs.uk — University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay
Is Broughton-in-Furness right for you?
Every town suits some buyers better than others — here is how Broughton-in-Furness rates for the people who most often buy here, and why.
| Buyer type | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time buyers | ★★☆☆☆ | Character and beauty, but limited affordable stock, genuine remoteness, few local jobs and reliance on a car make Broughton a harder first-home choice than the Furness towns — smaller cottages from around £180,000 are the way in, if you want the quiet. |
| Families | ★★★☆☆ | A superb setting and a Good village primary, but there is no secondary in the town (pupils travel to Millom or Ulverston), services are limited and the nearest full A&E is ~20 miles away — weigh the remoteness carefully. |
| Downsizers & retirees | ★★★★☆ | A quiet, characterful, community-minded market town in a beautiful Lakeland setting suits downsizers and retirees who want peace — provided the remoteness from full hospital care and services is weighed honestly. |
| Remote workers | ★★★☆☆ | The setting is idyllic and full-fibre is reaching parts of the area, so remote working is increasingly possible — but check broadband and mobile coverage at the exact property carefully, as rural signal can be patchy. |
| Second-home & holiday-let buyers | ★★★★☆ | A genuinely sought-after western-Lakes location for a holiday home or let, with strong demand for the limited stock — mindful of Lake District policy, council-tax second-home premiums and letting rules. |
An honest, at-a-glance summary of what Broughton-in-Furness does brilliantly — and what to weigh carefully — before you commit.
Broughton-in-Furness at a glance
The key facts buyers ask us about most, in one place.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| County & council | Cumbria — Westmorland & Furness (a UNITARY authority created in 2023; the town is in the civil parish of Broughton West, part of the grouped Duddon Parish Council) |
| Postcode district | LA20 |
| Approx. character | A tiny, historic market town at the foot of the Duddon valley on the edge of the Lake District National Park — a complete Georgian Square, remote and unspoilt |
| Average house price | Overall often £220,000–£320,000; cottages from ~£180,000, larger period & valley homes £400,000–£600,000+; sources vary |
| Railway | No useful station in the town; Foxfield (~1.5 miles, Cumbrian Coast line) is a small limited-service stop — largely a car-dependent town |
| Nearest A&E | No A&E in Broughton; genuinely remote — nearest full 24-hour Type-1 A&E is Furness General, Barrow (~20 miles) — verify with NHS |
| Schools | Broughton CofE Primary and Nursery School (Good, 2023); NO secondary in the town — pupils travel to Millom School (~8 miles) or Ulverston Victoria High (~13–14 miles); comprehensive area |
| Known for | The Georgian Square & its 1810 market obelisk, fish slabs & stocks, the Duddon valley (Wordsworth’s sonnets) & the quiet western Lakes |
| Character | A town of Georgian houses and stone cottages around the Square, with rural, valley and estate homes in the Duddon and Lickle valleys beyond |
| Roads | The A595 through the area, linking south towards Barrow and the A590 and north up the western fringe of the Lakes |
| Green space | The Duddon valley, the Lickle valley, the western fells, the Duddon estuary and the whole of the Lake District National Park on the doorstep |
| National Park & planning | On the edge of / partly within the Lake District National Park — genuine planning constraints on building, extending and altering property |
| Council tax (Band D) | £2,516.46 for 2026/27 (Broughton-in-Furness, in the Duddon / Broughton West grouped parish — Westmorland & Furness Council + Cumbria Police + Cumbria Fire + parish; verified) — confirm your exact band |
Property prices & council tax in Broughton-in-Furness
Broughton-in-Furness has an unusual, tightly-held market — a tiny, sought-after historic town in a beautiful National-Park-edge setting, where limited stock and strong demand from downsizers, second-home buyers and remote workers support prices, yet genuine remoteness keeps them below the central Lakes. It offers Georgian houses and stone cottages around the Square, and larger period, detached and rural or valley homes beyond. Published figures vary by property and area, so treat the ranges below as a broad guide and verify for the exact home.
| Property type / area | Typical position in the market | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cottages & smaller terraces | Indicatively around £180,000–£250,000 | First-time buyers & downsizers; the more accessible ways in |
| Larger houses & semis | Indicatively around £280,000–£400,000 | Families & downsizers wanting classic town space |
| Georgian & period townhouses | Indicatively around £350,000–£500,000 | Those wanting a handsome home on or near the Square |
| Substantial period, detached & valley houses | Indicatively around £400,000–£650,000+ | Upsizers & those wanting space, land & western-Lakes character |
| Broughton average | Overall often £220,000–£320,000 (verify per property) | A broad benchmark for the town |
What income might you need?
These illustrative figures use roughly 4.5x household income and assume a typical deposit. They are a starting point for budgeting only — not a quote or advice.
£200,000
Cottage / smaller home
~£44,000
household income (guide)
£290,000
Area benchmark
~£64,000
household income (guide)
£450,000
Larger period / valley home
~£100,000
household income (guide)
Broughton-in-Furness affordability & stamp duty calculator
A quick, no-obligation way to see roughly what you could borrow in Broughton-in-Furness and what stamp duty you'd pay. Illustration only — real figures depend on the lender and your circumstances.
Illustration only, not a mortgage offer or personalised advice. Lenders' income multiples and criteria vary. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Borrowing ready-reckoner (around 4.5× income)
| Yearly income | Rough maximum mortgage |
|---|---|
| £40,000 | ~£180,000 |
| £60,000 | ~£270,000 |
| £75,000 | ~£337,500 |
| £90,000 | ~£405,000 |
| £120,000 | ~£540,000 |
Stamp duty (SDLT) in 2026 — England
| Portion of price | Standard rate | First-time buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £125,000 | 0% | 0% (up to £300,000) |
| £125,001 – £250,000 | 2% | 0% (up to £300,000) |
| £250,001 – £925,000 | 5% | 5% on £300,001–£500,000 (no relief over £500,000) |
| £925,001 – £1.5m | 10% | — |
| Over £1.5m | 12% | — |
Worked examples: a £250,000 home = £2,500 stamp duty (£0 for first-time buyers); a £450,000 home = £12,500 (£7,500 first-time buyer); a £650,000 home = £22,500 (first-time buyer relief doesn't apply over £500,000). An additional-property surcharge of 5% applies to second homes and buy-to-lets.
SDLT rates as at 2026 (England & Northern Ireland). Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT) differ. Figures are a guide — confirm with your conveyancer.
The Broughton-in-Furness property market in depth
Broughton-in-Furness offers a small, tightly-held western-Lakes market — Georgian houses and stone cottages around the Square, and larger period, detached and rural or valley homes beyond — where its beauty, its unspoilt character and its National-Park-edge setting drive strong demand for the limited stock, from downsizers, retirees, remote workers and second-home buyers.
| Property type | What to expect | Typical guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cottages & smaller terraces | The accessible way in; popular with downsizers, first-time buyers and second-home buyers, especially near the Square. | £180,000–£250,000 |
| Larger houses & semis | Family and downsizer homes in and around the town — a mainstay of the limited local market. | £280,000–£400,000 |
| Georgian & period townhouses | Handsome homes on or near the Square — sought-after and tightly held. | £350,000–£500,000 |
| Substantial period, detached & valley houses | Larger period, rural and valley homes in the Duddon and Lickle — the top of the local market. | £400,000–£650,000+ |
Broughton-in-Furness’s appeal — a tiny, unspoilt historic market town in a superb western-Lakes setting, with a complete Georgian Square and the Duddon valley on the doorstep — makes for a small but keenly-contested market, from cottages and terraces to period townhouses and larger valley homes, with demand from downsizers, second-home buyers and remote workers outstripping the limited stock.
That mix means budgeting and the right mortgage matter. Older stone cottages and period homes can need survey work (and some non-standard construction is assessed carefully by lenders), being on the edge of the Lake District National Park brings genuine planning constraints and sometimes listed-building considerations, second homes and holiday lets have their own tax, insurance and mortgage rules, and rural and valley homes have their own considerations, so advice pays off. A whole-of-market mortgage adviser helps you match the right lender to your plans — the kind of introduction we can arrange.
What makes Broughton-in-Furness so popular?
Broughton-in-Furness’s appeal is a real, unspoilt western-Lakes market town — a complete Georgian Square with its market obelisk, the beautiful Duddon valley and the quiet Lakes and coast on the doorstep.
The Georgian Square & the market obelisk
Broughton’s handsome Georgian Square is one of the most complete small market squares in Cumbria — the stone market obelisk raised in 1810 for George III’s golden jubilee, the old fish slabs where fish were once sold, and the village stocks, all ringed by Georgian houses and chestnut trees. It is the heart of the town and a genuine piece of living history.
The Duddon valley & Wordsworth
The town sits at the foot of the lovely Duddon valley, whose river Wordsworth celebrated in his sequence of Duddon sonnets — one of the quietest and most beautiful of all the Lakeland valleys, a walker’s and nature-lover’s delight.
A gateway to the quiet western Lakes
Broughton is a gateway to the unspoilt western Lakes — the fells above the Duddon and Lickle, Swinside stone circle, Dunnerdale and the coast at the Duddon estuary — all within easy reach and far quieter than the central-Lakes honeypots. For ideas, golakes.co.uk (Cumbria Tourism) is a good place to start.
Transport & commuting from Broughton-in-Furness
Transport is the honest trade-off in Broughton-in-Furness — this is a genuinely remote, largely car-dependent town, with only a small limited-service station nearby at Foxfield. These indicative times are a starting point — always verify current timetables before relying on a specific journey.
| Route | Approx. time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broughton → Foxfield station | ~5 min | By car to the nearest (small, limited-service) station on the Cumbrian Coast line |
| Broughton → Millom | ~15–20 min | By the A595 up the coast for the nearest secondary school & town |
| Broughton → Ulverston | ~30–35 min | By the A595 / A590 for the Furness market town |
| Broughton → Barrow-in-Furness | ~40–45 min | By the A595 / A590 — for BAE Systems & Furness General A&E |
| Broughton → Coniston | ~25–30 min | By the A593 into the central Lakes |
| Broughton → the M6 (J36) | ~1 hr | By the A590 to the motorway network |
| Broughton → Kendal | ~1 hr | By the A590 for the South Lakes gateway town |
| Broughton → the western Lakes / coast | ~15–40 min | By the A595 for the Duddon, the estuary and the quiet Lakes |
Getting around Broughton-in-Furness
Day-to-day mobility here is worth thinking through — the practical picture.
By car
The A595 is the main road, linking south towards Barrow and the A590 (and the M6 beyond) and north up the western fringe of the Lakes; the A593 runs into the central Lakes at Coniston. A car is effectively essential here.
By train
No station in the town; Foxfield (~1.5 miles) is the nearest, a small limited-service stop on the Cumbrian Coast line, with trains south to Barrow and north up the coast towards Millom and Whitehaven.
By bus
Some local bus services run to Millom, Ulverston and the villages, but they are infrequent — check current timetables before relying on them.
For the motorway
The M6 is around an hour away via the A590 at junction 36 — a genuine drive, reflecting the town’s remoteness.
On foot & by bike
The compact centre around the Square is pleasant on foot, and the Duddon and Lickle valleys, the fells and the coast give superb walking and cycling straight from the town.
Further afield
The western and central Lakes, the Duddon estuary, the Furness coast, Coniston and the wider National Park are all within reach for days out — by car.
Schools in Broughton-in-Furness
Broughton-in-Furness has a Good village primary but no secondary school of its own — older pupils travel out of the town. Broughton is a comprehensive area (there is no eleven-plus or state grammar), so state places are by catchment and admissions — confirm the current position directly for a specific address.
| School | Type | Inspection | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broughton CofE Primary and Nursery School | Primary (state, Church of England, co-ed, with nursery) | Good (2023) | The town’s village primary and nursery (Kepplewray, LA20 6BJ). It was judged Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection (March 2023) — read the latest report, and check the current catchment and admissions. |
| Millom School (nearest secondary, ~8 miles) | Secondary (state, co-ed, 11–18, at Millom) | Good (2022) | There is no secondary school in Broughton-in-Furness — the nearest is Millom School (Salthouse Road, Millom, LA18 5AB), around eight miles up the coast, the usual option for many Broughton pupils. It was judged Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection (May 2022), including its sixth form — read the latest report, and check catchment, admissions and school transport directly. |
| Ulverston Victoria High School (~13–14 miles) | Secondary (state academy, co-ed, 11–18, at Ulverston) | Good (2023) | The other secondary many Broughton pupils travel to is Ulverston Victoria High School (Springfield Road, Ulverston, LA12 0EB), around thirteen to fourteen miles east, which has a sixth form. It was judged Good at its last graded inspection (an ungraded September 2023 inspection of a good school confirmed no change) — read the latest report, and confirm catchment, admissions and transport directly. |
Map, Police & Fire Services in Broughton-in-Furness
A useful local guide should show the practical services buyers actually check — policing, fire cover, emergency healthcare and the local crime context for Broughton-in-Furness.
Interactive map of Broughton-in-Furness — view it on the online guide at thatsfamilyfinance.co.uk.
Popular parts of Broughton-in-Furness & nearby
Where you buy in and around Broughton-in-Furness shapes both your budget and your character — from the Georgian Square and the town’s stone cottages to the valley hamlets and rural homes of the Duddon and Lickle beyond. A quick orientation.
Local highlights & days out from Broughton-in-Furness
Broughton-in-Furness packs a complete Georgian Square, a Wordsworth-celebrated valley, unspoilt western fells and the coast on the doorstep into one tiny historic town. A few of the best-loved local highlights.
Sports, leisure & community in Broughton-in-Furness
For such a tiny town, Broughton-in-Furness offers plenty for those who love the outdoors — a historic square, a beautiful valley, unspoilt fells, a prehistoric stone circle and the coast, all on the doorstep.
History & culture
The Georgian Square, the market obelisk, fish slabs and stocks, Swinside stone circle and the Wordsworth-Duddon connection give a strong sense of Broughton’s long history and unspoilt character.
The outdoors
The Duddon and Lickle valleys, the western fells, Swinside, the Duddon estuary and the whole Lake District National Park on the doorstep give walking, cycling, wildlife and open space in abundance.
Village life
Independent pubs, a village shop and a genuine community give Broughton the feel of a proper, unspoilt Lakeland market town — quiet, friendly and characterful, with wider choice a drive away in Millom, Ulverston or Barrow.
Healthcare & local services in Broughton-in-Furness
Healthcare access is the honest headline for Broughton-in-Furness — there is GP provision in the town, but it is genuinely remote from a full A&E, the nearest being around twenty miles away in Barrow.
The town has GP provision for day-to-day care, with dentists, pharmacies and further NHS services in Millom, Ulverston and Barrow; for a Type-1 major A&E the nearest is Furness General in Barrow, around twenty miles south, with the West Cumberland Hospital at Whitehaven the other full A&E in the wider area. GP and dental registration availability changes over time, and rural provision can be limited, so always check directly with a practice about its current catchment before relying on it for a move — and weigh the town’s remoteness from full emergency care honestly.
Living in Broughton-in-Furness
Day to day, Broughton-in-Furness is a tiny, unspoilt historic market town in a superb western-Lakes setting — a Georgian Square, independent pubs and a real community — with the Duddon valley, the fells and the coast on the doorstep, but genuine remoteness to weigh. Here is a sense of everyday life.
Broughton-in-Furness has the amenities of a small, unspoilt market town — a village shop, independent pubs, cafes, a Good primary school, GP provision and the Georgian Square at its heart — set in one of the most beautiful and peaceful corners of the Lake District. The big everyday pluses are the character, the community spirit, the quiet and the extraordinary setting, with the Duddon valley, the western fells, Swinside and the coast all within easy reach.
The honest trade-offs are real, though, and they define the town. Broughton is genuinely remote: there is no useful railway station (Foxfield is small and limited), buses are infrequent, so a car is effectively essential; shops and services beyond the basics mean a drive to Millom, Ulverston or Barrow; there is no secondary school in the town; and the nearest full A&E is around twenty miles away. Being on the edge of the National Park brings genuine planning constraints, and broadband and mobile coverage, though improving, can be patchy in the valleys — so check the exact property carefully. For the right buyer, the peace and beauty are worth every one of those trade-offs.
| Everyday amenity | In Broughton-in-Furness? | Nearest / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary schools | Yes | Broughton CofE Primary and Nursery School (Good, 2023) in the town; check catchment |
| Secondary schools | No (pupils travel out) | No secondary in Broughton; pupils travel to Millom School (~8 miles) or Ulverston Victoria High (~13–14 miles); check catchment & transport |
| GP & hospital | GP; A&E ~20 miles | GP provision in the town; genuinely remote — nearest full 24-hour A&E is Furness General, Barrow (~20 miles) |
| Railway | No useful station | No station in the town; Foxfield (~1.5 miles) is a small limited-service stop on the Cumbrian Coast line — largely car-dependent |
| Shops | Limited (village shop & pubs) | A village shop, independent pubs & cafes; wider shopping in Millom, Ulverston or Barrow |
| Green space | Yes (superb) | The Duddon & Lickle valleys, the western fells, Swinside & the coast — the National Park on the doorstep |
| Motorway | M6 ~1 hour | The M6 is around an hour away via the A590 (J36) — reflecting the town’s remoteness |
Working & connectivity in Broughton-in-Furness
More people than ever work from home or hybrid, and Broughton-in-Furness can suit that beautifully — but rural connectivity is a genuine check, so it’s worth being realistic.
Full-fibre and superfast broadband are reaching parts of Broughton and the surrounding area, so remote and hybrid working is increasingly possible — and for the right worker the setting is idyllic. But coverage is genuinely variable in a remote western-Lakes town: some properties have good full-fibre, while others, particularly in the Duddon and Lickle valleys and the outlying hamlets, can have slower connections and patchy mobile signal. This really matters if you plan to work from home, so check the specific property carefully on the providers’ and Ofcom’s coverage checkers, and ask current occupiers about real-world speeds and mobile signal, before you commit.
| Connectivity | Typical picture |
|---|---|
| Fixed broadband | Full-fibre reaching parts of the area, but genuinely variable — some valley and outlying properties are slower; check the exact address carefully |
| Mobile coverage | Patchy in the valleys and fells — check the specific property and network |
| Train for trips | No useful station in the town; Foxfield (~1.5 miles) is a small limited-service stop on the Cumbrian Coast line |
| Road | The A595 through the area; the A593 to Coniston and the central Lakes; the M6 around an hour away via the A590 |
Flood risk in Broughton-in-Furness
On flooding, most of Broughton-in-Furness town sits on higher ground and is not itself at major river risk, but the surrounding Duddon and Lickle valleys and the Duddon estuary carry genuine river and tidal considerations on low ground — so a careful, property-specific flood check matters for any home near the rivers, the valley floors or the estuary.
Cost of living & running a home in Broughton-in-Furness
Beyond the mortgage, it helps to picture the ongoing costs of a home here. Indicative only — always confirm for a specific property.
| Typical ongoing cost | Indicative figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Council tax (Band D, 2026/27) | £2,516.46 | Broughton-in-Furness (Duddon / Broughton West grouped parish) — Westmorland & Furness Council + Cumbria Police + Cumbria Fire + parish (verified) — confirm your band; a second-home premium may apply |
| Buildings insurance | Varies — check flood risk | River and (near the estuary) tidal flood risk on low ground can affect premiums and availability; get a quote and flood check (and check Flood Re eligibility) before committing |
| Water & wastewater | ~£450–£800/yr | United Utilities area; some rural properties have private supplies or septic drainage — check for the address |
| Broadband | ~£28–£48/mth | Full-fibre reaching parts of the area but genuinely variable — check the exact address carefully |
Financing a home in Broughton-in-Furness
A tiny, characterful western-Lakes town like Broughton-in-Furness is a rewarding thing to buy into — a few points on the mortgage side are worth understanding first.
Broughton-in-Furness’s mix of homes and its setting mean the right mortgage matters — from cottages and terraces to period townhouses and larger valley houses. Older stone cottages and period homes (and some non-standard or listed construction) are cases lenders and surveyors assess carefully, being on the edge of the National Park brings genuine planning and sometimes listed-building considerations, second homes and holiday lets have their own mortgage, tax and insurance rules, and any home near the rivers, the valley floors or the estuary needs a careful flood check, so advice pays off.
A whole-of-market approach really helps here. That’s Family Finance is an FCA-regulated protection adviser and we introduce you to carefully selected, FCA-regulated mortgage advisers who search across lenders to fit your circumstances, and we make sure your protection is set up properly alongside it. Talk to us →
Conveyancing & the searches to expect in Broughton-in-Furness
A few standard checks are worth their weight when buying in Broughton-in-Furness — especially National Park planning, flood risk near the rivers and estuary, the condition of an older stone or listed home, and rural services.
History, heritage & famous connections
Broughton-in-Furness grew as a small market town at the foot of the Duddon valley, at the meeting of the Furness lowlands and the western fells. Its market charter dates back centuries, and its handsome Georgian Square — laid out in the eighteenth century, with the stone market obelisk raised in 1810 to mark the golden jubilee of George III, the old fish slabs where fish were sold, and the village stocks — is a remarkably complete survival of a small Georgian market place. The town traded in wool, cattle and the produce of the valleys, and its position made it a natural gateway between the coast, the Furness peninsula and the western Lakes.
The River Duddon, which flows past the town to its estuary, was celebrated by William Wordsworth in his sequence of Duddon sonnets, fixing the valley’s place in Lakeland literature. Long part of Lancashire and then, from 1974, of Cumbria’s South Lakeland district, Broughton was absorbed into the new Westmorland & Furness unitary authority in 2023. Today it is a tiny, unspoilt historic market town on the edge of the Lake District National Park, treasured for its Georgian Square, its community and its extraordinary setting.
Broughton-in-Furness through the ages
A quick timeline of the moments that shaped the town you would be buying into.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Medieval | Broughton grows as a small market town at the foot of the Duddon valley, holding a market charter. |
| 18th c. | The Georgian Square is laid out, with Georgian houses ringing the market place. |
| 1810 | The stone market obelisk is raised in the Square to mark the golden jubilee of George III. |
| Early 19th c. | Wordsworth celebrates the River Duddon in his sequence of Duddon sonnets. |
| 20th c. | Broughton develops as a quiet, unspoilt market town and gateway to the western Lakes, within the Lake District National Park area. |
| 2023 | Broughton joins the new Westmorland & Furness unitary authority. |
Famous connections
A few of the people and stories that put Broughton-in-Furness on the map.
The Georgian Square & market obelisk
Broughton’s Georgian Square, with its 1810 market obelisk, old fish slabs and village stocks, is one of the most complete small Georgian market places in Cumbria — the town’s defining feature.
Wordsworth & the Duddon
William Wordsworth celebrated the River Duddon, at the town’s doorstep, in his sequence of Duddon sonnets — giving Broughton and its valley a genuine place in Lakeland literary history.
Swinside stone circle
Above Broughton lies Swinside (Sunkenkirk), one of the finest and most complete prehistoric stone circles in England — a remarkable, remote monument in a magnificent fellside setting.
Looking beyond the mortgage
Buying a home in Broughton-in-Furness is a major commitment — and the mortgage is only part of the picture. Whatever you buy, the right protection makes sure the home stays yours if life does not go to plan.
Life cover
Pays out a lump sum if you die during the policy term — typically arranged to clear the mortgage so your family can stay in the home.
Critical illness cover
Pays out if you are diagnosed with a serious illness the policy covers — helping you keep up payments while you focus on recovery.
Income protection
Replaces part of your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury — often the most overlooked, and most valuable, cover of all.
That's Family Finance is an FCA-regulated protection adviser — life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection are what we do. We don't arrange mortgages ourselves; we introduce you to carefully selected, FCA-regulated mortgage advisers, and make sure your protection is set up properly alongside it. Talk to us →
Things people don't always tell you about Broughton-in-Furness
Beyond the brochure, a few honest points worth weighing before you commit to buying here.
Broughton-in-Furness compared with nearby towns
How Broughton-in-Furness sits against the places buyers most often weigh against it — a quick, indicative comparison.
| Town | Rough average price | Station? | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broughton-in-Furness | ~£220k–£320k | No (Foxfield ~1.5mi) | A tiny, unspoilt historic western-Lakes market town — the Georgian Square, the Duddon valley, Swinside; genuinely remote; nearest full A&E ~20 miles in Barrow |
| Millom | ~£120k–£170k | Yes (Cumbrian Coast line) | A remote former iron town up the coast, ~8 miles — very affordable, with the nearest secondary school, big skies and Black Combe |
| Ulverston | ~£210k–£270k | Yes (Furness line) | A characterful Furness market town to the east — Stan Laurel, the Hoad, festivals; a 24-hour A&E ~9 miles in Barrow; far more amenities |
| Dalton-in-Furness | ~£150k–£210k | Yes (Cumbrian Coast line) | A historic, affordable Furness town to the south — Dalton Castle, the Safari Zoo; a 24-hour A&E ~4 miles in Barrow |
| Coniston | ~£300k–£450k | No | A famous central-Lakes village north over the fells — the lake, the Old Man and full National Park tourism; pricier and busier |
Pros & cons of living in Broughton-in-Furness
An honest, balanced summary to weigh up.
| In its favour | To weigh carefully |
|---|---|
| A tiny, unspoilt historic western-Lakes market town | Genuinely remote — no useful station, a car is essential |
| A complete Georgian Square with market obelisk, fish slabs & stocks | Nearest full 24-hour A&E is ~20 miles away in Barrow |
| The Duddon valley, Swinside & the quiet western Lakes | No secondary school in the town (pupils travel to Millom or Ulverston) |
| Genuine peace, beauty & community | Limited shops & services (a drive to Millom, Ulverston or Barrow) |
| A gateway to the unspoilt western fells & coast | National Park planning & listed-building constraints |
| Strong demand & a sought-after location | River/estuary flood risk on low ground; patchy rural broadband/signal |
| A wonderful downsizer, retirement or second-home spot | Few local jobs; harder for first-time buyers & families |
Villages & areas around Broughton-in-Furness
Many buyers who love Broughton-in-Furness look just outside it too — a quick guide.
Who tends to move to Broughton-in-Furness?
Understanding your fellow buyers helps you read the market and pitch an offer.
Downsizers & retirees
People wanting a quiet, characterful, community-minded historic town in a beautiful Lakeland setting, with the Duddon valley and fells on the doorstep — provided the remoteness from full hospital care and services is weighed honestly.
Remote workers & second-home buyers
People drawn by the extraordinary setting for a home or holiday home, where remote working is increasingly possible — mindful of checking broadband and mobile coverage, and of second-home tax and letting rules.
Walkers & nature-lovers
People wanting the Duddon and Lickle valleys, the western fells, Swinside and the coast straight from the town — a genuine gateway to the quiet, unspoilt western Lakes.
What your money buys in Broughton-in-Furness
A rough sense of what different budgets tend to secure — indicative only, and hugely dependent on position and condition.
Your move to Broughton-in-Furness, step by step
A simple order of play that keeps things on track.
1. Get your budget straight
Work out your deposit and the true monthly cost (mortgage, council tax — with any second-home premium — insurance, which flood risk near the rivers and estuary can affect, and SDLT, with the additional-property surcharge relevant for second homes), and get a mortgage in principle so you can move quickly on the limited stock.
2. Do your homework on the property
Check the National Park planning and any listing, river and tidal flood risk, rural services (water, drainage, access), broadband and mobile coverage, the school-transport position, and get a full building survey — before you fall in love.
3. Line up the right people
A whole-of-market mortgage adviser, a good surveyor experienced in rural and period property, and a local conveyancer will save you time, money and stress. We can introduce you to the first.
Already live in Broughton-in-Furness?
This guide isn't just for people moving in. If you already own here, a few moments now can save a lot later.
If your current mortgage deal is within about six months of ending, it's usually worth reviewing your options rather than drifting onto your lender's standard variable rate, which is often more expensive. And whether or not you're moving, it's worth checking that your protection still matches your life. We can introduce you to a whole-of-market, FCA-regulated mortgage adviser, and review your life cover, critical illness cover and income protection alongside it.
Review my options →In summary: buying in Broughton-in-Furness
If you are weighing up a move to the town, here is the honest bottom line.
Quick tips before you buy in Broughton-in-Furness
- Enjoy the town — the Georgian Square, the market obelisk, the fish slabs and stocks, and the independent pubs.
- Make the most of the setting — the Duddon and Lickle valleys, Swinside stone circle, the western fells and the Duddon estuary and coast.
- Note the transport honestly — no useful station (Foxfield ~1.5 miles is small and limited), infrequent buses and the M6 around an hour away; a car is essential.
- Check the Lake District National Park planning and listed-building position carefully before buying, especially if you plan to alter or extend.
- Weigh the healthcare position — genuinely remote; the nearest full 24-hour Type-1 A&E is Furness General in Barrow (~20 miles) — verify with the NHS.
- Confirm the council tax and band — Broughton-in-Furness Band D is £2,516.46 for 2026/27 (verified), and check any second-home premium.
- Check school arrangements — a Good village primary, but no secondary in the town (pupils travel to Millom or Ulverston).
- Check river and tidal flood risk for any home near the Duddon, the Lickle or the valley floors, and confirm insurance and Flood Re eligibility.
- Get a full building survey on a stone, period or listed home, and check rural services (private water, septic drainage, access).
- Check broadband and mobile coverage at the exact property carefully — rural signal can be patchy.
- Explore the Square, the Duddon valley, Swinside and the coast to get a feel for the area.
- Consider the nearby towns — Millom, Ulverston, Dalton — for more amenities and services.
- Get a mortgage agreement in principle before you start viewing in earnest.
Nearby areas worth considering
If you are weighing Broughton-in-Furness against the surrounding area, these are the places buyers most often compare.
Millom
A remote former iron town up the Cumbrian coast about eight miles away, on the coast line — the nearest secondary school (Millom School), very affordable, with big skies, the Duddon estuary and Black Combe.
Ulverston
A characterful Furness market town to the east on the A590 and the Furness line — Stan Laurel, the Hoad Monument, festivals and far more amenities, with a 24-hour A&E ~9 miles away in Barrow.
Dalton-in-Furness
A historic, affordable Furness town to the south — Dalton Castle, the South Lakes Safari Zoo, its own station and a 24-hour A&E ~4 miles away in Barrow.
Barrow-in-Furness
The shipbuilding town at the tip of the Furness peninsula — BAE Systems jobs, more affordable housing and the nearest full 24-hour A&E at Furness General.
Grange-over-Sands
A genteel Edwardian resort town on Morecambe Bay to the east, on the Furness line — popular with retirees, with a promenade and coastal character.
Family Protection
Whichever area you choose, the right life cover, critical illness cover and income protection matter just as much as the mortgage.
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Get in touch →Frequently asked questions
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What searches should I expect when buying in Broughton-in-Furness?
Is flooding a problem in Broughton-in-Furness?
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Can existing homeowners in Broughton-in-Furness benefit from a mortgage review?
Useful resources
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Whether you're researching Broughton-in-Furness, planning a move, reviewing your finances or simply exploring your options — we're always happy to point people in the right direction.
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That's Family Finance is an FCA-regulated protection adviser (life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection). We do not arrange mortgages ourselves — we introduce you to carefully selected, FCA-regulated mortgage advisers.
Transport information is approximate and can change; Broughton-in-Furness has no useful railway station of its own — the nearest is Foxfield (about a mile and a half away), a small stop on the Cumbrian Coast line with limited services (some request stops), from where trains run south to Barrow and north up the coast towards Millom and Whitehaven — and the town is largely car-dependent, with the A595 the main road and the M6 around an hour away via the A590; always verify current timetables and service updates at nationalrail.co.uk before travelling. Ofsted information is based on the most recent publicly available reports; Broughton is a comprehensive area with no eleven-plus or state grammar — Broughton CofE Primary and Nursery School was judged Good (March 2023); there is NO secondary school in the town, and secondary-age pupils travel out, most often to Millom School (around eight miles) or Ulverston Victoria High School (around thirteen to fourteen miles), so confirm catchment, admissions and school transport with each school and Westmorland & Furness Council; from September 2024 Ofsted no longer awards a single overall effectiveness grade at routine state-school inspections, so read each school’s latest report in full. Healthcare: Broughton has no A&E and no hospital of its own and is genuinely remote from full emergency care — the nearest full 24-hour Type-1 A&E is Furness General Hospital in Barrow (around twenty miles south), run by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, with the West Cumberland Hospital at Whitehaven the other Type-1 A&E in the wider area; there is GP provision in the town; NHS services can be reconfigured and travel times vary, so always verify the nearest current A&E and arrangements with the NHS, and weigh the remoteness honestly. References to the Georgian Square and its market obelisk, fish slabs and stocks, the Duddon valley and Wordsworth’s Duddon sonnets, and Swinside stone circle are for context. Planning: Broughton-in-Furness is on the edge of / partly within the Lake District National Park, which brings genuine planning and (for many homes) listed-building constraints — check the position before buying. Crime information is general — check current data at police.uk. Flood-risk: the town centre is largely on higher ground, but the Duddon and Lickle valleys and the Duddon estuary carry genuine river and tidal flood considerations on low ground, so flooding can affect homes near the water and this can affect insurance; always check the exact postcode at check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk and confirm buildings insurance availability and cost (including Flood Re eligibility) before committing. Council tax: Broughton-in-Furness is in Cumbria, in the Westmorland & Furness unitary area, in the civil parish of Broughton West, part of the grouped Duddon Parish Council (listed as the “Duddon” charging area); the Band D total for 2026/27 is £2,516.46 (verified from Westmorland & Furness Council’s published per-parish council tax charges for 2026/27), made up of the Westmorland & Furness Council element £2,014.73 (including the adult social care precept), the Cumbria Police & Crime Commissioner precept £338.94 and the Cumbria Fire & Rescue precept £103.14 (an unparished base of £2,456.81), plus the Duddon parish precept £59.65; a second-home / long-term-empty premium may apply to some properties; confirm your exact band and circumstances with Westmorland & Furness Council. Property prices are indicative and based on recent public sold-price data — Broughton-in-Furness is an LA20 western-Lakes market town where overall averages are often around £220,000 to £320,000, with cottages from around £180,000 and larger period and valley homes well beyond £400,000, with a wide range by property and area; verify current values via Land Registry or an independent valuation for the exact home. Salary and affordability figures are illustrative only and do not constitute financial advice. Stamp duty figures should be verified using the official GOV.UK SDLT calculator.
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. That's Family Finance is an independent, FCA-regulated firm (No. 1038034).
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