King’s Arms, King Street, Ulverston, Cumbria: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment

A planning application was submitted by Robinson’s Brewery to carry out alterations, including partial demolition, to a building adjoining the King’s Arms, King Street, Ulverston, Cumbria. Following a recommendation by Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service, a programme of archaeological work was requested by South Lakeland District Council. This work involved a Level 2 recording of the building, including a rapid desk-based assessment. The building recording will be carried out by Stephen Baldwin, Land-Use and Heritage Consultant, who commissioned Greenlane Archaeology to carry out the desk-based assessment element of the project.

Documentary sources indicate that the building was certainly present by the early decades of the 19th century, although its earlier history is confused by the presence of another King’s Arms on Market Street. The King’s Arms on King Street was clearly enlarged or rebuilt in the first half of the 19th century. The property appears to have been utilised as a commercial site, having been owned by the proprietors of the corn mill and the King’s Arms at different times, and was occupied by a brush makers in the early 20th century.