Backbarrow
Backbarrow maps (2 available)
Map of Cumbria
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Backbarrow books (5 available)
So You Think You Know? Kendal
Hardback
Penrith Photographic Memories
Hardback
Windermere Photographic Memories
Paperback
Backbarrow memories
Read and share memories of Backbarrow and Cumbria inspired by Frith photos
The Whitewater Hotel at Backbarrow, near Newby Bridge
I stayed in Backbarrow for several days at the Whitewater Hotel which has been converted from a former mill building by the river. The lobby of this lovely "spa hotel" has display cabinets of memorabilia from its industrial heyday in the last century which was interesting and I recommend a visit.
My wife Elizabeth and I used this as a base to explore nearby Windermere including a ride on the heritage railway line from Haverthwaite to Lakeside. There are lovely woodland walks signposted in the hills to the north of Backbarrow.
Contributed by John Howard Norfolk
Cumbria memories
The Whitewater Hotel at Backbarrow, near Newby Bridge
I stayed in Backbarrow for several days at the Whitewater Hotel which has been converted from a former mill building by the river. The lobby of this lovely "spa hotel" has display cabinets of memorabilia from its industrial heyday in the last century which was interesting and I recommend a visit.
My wife Elizabeth and I used this as a base to explore nearby Windermere including a ride on the heritage railway line from Haverthwaite to Lakeside. There are lovely woodland walks signposted in the hills to the north of Backbarrow.
A memory of Backbarrow contributed by John Howard Norfolk
Staveley village
I would like to share with your readers that my father Alban Crossley was born in Staveley and his mother Ethel Crossley (nee Bateman) worked in the bobbin mill in Staveley. Unfortunately my grandfather Michael Crossley died as a result of a motorbike accident. My father died in 1983 age 59years old.
We lived in Staveley in 1976 and I really liked the area and have been to visit it on a few occasions over the years. I wonder does any of your readers have any photos of any of my relatives as I have very little information on them apart from my father photographed in the book on Staveley school winning a race. Looking ...read more here
A memory of Newby Bridge contributed by Ann Brennan
John Wilson
My grandfather worked as wheelwright for Thomas Wren, ajoining the Swan Hotel. Can any relitive of Thomas Wren please give me any more information? His name was John Hartley Wilson of Lakeside.
My E Mail is johnwilson45@tiscali.co.uk THANK YOU
Ken Wilson
A memory of Newby Bridge contributed by john wilson
Extracts From Backbarrow & Cumbria books
The Furness Railway
Company once
owned the Hazelwood
Hydro. Originally it
was known as Brown
Robin Mansion, and
was built as a private
residence. It became
a hydropathic hotel
in 1887 following its
enlargement. It was not
licensed, and guests
had to order their
own drink a week in
advance of their stay.
This view shows the
back of the building.
An extract from from"Grange-over-Sands Photographic Memories".
Two toddlers (left) are
playing with a toy cart,
something they could
probably still do, as
this steep road leading
up to Hampsfell is
little used by traffic.
At the top are paths
leading to Hampsfell
Hospice, a viewpoint.
An extract from from"Grange-over-Sands Photographic Memories".
The Hydro looks out
over marshy ground
occupied by cattle of
Grange Marsh Farm.
In 1891 the residents
could enjoy whist,
concerts, dancing and
games, and they played
billiards. Did the Frith
photographer stay here,
and use their darkroom
to produce his pictures?
An extract from from"Grange-over-Sands Photographic Memories".
The Hydro had become
the Grand Hotel by this
date, and it had been
extended. It had also
been known as the Golf
Hotel - a golf course
had been constructed
on the land occupied by
the cattle in No 54235.
During the Second World
War it was a training
centre for RAF officers.
An extract from from"Grange-over-Sands Photographic Memories".
The plaque in the centre
of Hazelwood Terrace
bears the date 1889. The
house at the right has a
sign for W A Tattersall,
a coal merchant. The
iron fence and bushes
in the foreground at the
junction with Meathop
Road have now gone,
and the old street lamp
at its end has been
replaced by a modern
one by the side of the
road. The terrace beyond
is Berriedale Terrace.
An extract from from"Grange-over-Sands Photographic Memories".