The park is managed by the Ford Park Community Group, a charity established to save the land from commercial development in the late 1990s.
The onsite kitchen garden utilizes traditional Victorian layout patterns, prioritizing heirloom vegetables and regional fruit varieties.
The site acts as a critical biological corridor between the urban center of Ulverston and the surrounding Hoad Hill woodland.
The park hosts an annual 'Apple Day' celebration focused on the biodiversity of its heritage orchard.
Ford Park is a ten-acre community-managed green space in Ulverston that functions as a registered charity and local heritage site. The grounds feature a restored Victorian kitchen garden, diverse woodland areas, and an orchard containing several heritage fruit tree varieties. The site is anchored by the historic Ford Park House, which serves as a hub for community events and hosts an on-site cafe. Visitors can access a variety of habitats, including wildflower meadows, which are actively managed to support local biodiversity and pollinator populations. The park serves as a gateway to the Hoad Hill path, connecting the lower grounds to the Sir John Barrow Monument. It operates as a non-profit, relying on donations, grants, and commercial activities to maintain the grounds. Paths throughout the park are designed to be largely accessible, linking various themed zones including the arboretum and the community allotment area.
The elevated vantage point within the Victorian kitchen garden looking back toward the historic Ford Park House.
Wear sturdy footwear if you plan to continue your walk up the steeper paths leading toward the Sir John Barrow Monument.
Check the community noticeboard near the main house for seasonal workshops, ranging from gardening masterclasses to local craft fairs.
Consider visiting the kitchen garden specifically to see which heirloom varieties are currently in season for harvest.
Do not attempt to hike to the Sir John Barrow Monument in unsuitable footwear, as the paths can be uneven and steep.
Keep dogs on a lead in cultivated areas; remove all litter to maintain the charity-managed grounds.
