The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > Cumbria > Penny Bridge
Massive Book Clearance - 50-70% off every Book online!

Penny Bridge

Penny Bridge photos (3 available)

Old photo of Penny Bridge

Penny Bridge maps (2 available)

Old map of Penny Bridge

Penny Bridge books (5 available)

Penny Bridge memories

Be the first to add a memory of Penny Bridge.

You can also read memories of nearby places in Cumbria below.

Cumbria memories

Family connections.

Greenodd, Main Street 1921

The gentleman with the scythe over his shoulder was my grandfather. His name was Joseph Jackson, born in 1849 at Bootle in Cumberland. He spent most of his life as a tenant farmer, first at Canleton Farm near Egremont also in Cumberland. He then moved to Lane Ends Farm at Haverthwaite in what was then Lancashire owing to subsidence of the land due to iron ore mining from the nearby Florence Mine. He retired from farming in 1919 to Penny Bridge where he spent the rest of his life.
A memory of Greenodd contributed by Mr J Jackson

Hodgson/Braithwaite family

I do not have a memory exactly but have found out that my Grandma Braithwaite was born in Spark Bridge and a lot of her family of Hodgsons also lived there.  Her father James Braithwaite was a blacksmith and a lot of the family of Hodgsons worked in the Bobbin Mill that used to be there.  I just wish I could work out where they lived.  On the census forms it states Spark Bridge with no road.  I just wonder if they were further up the hill just past the Royal Oak as they seem to be old houses?  I just wonder if anyone out there could tell me?

The Whitewater Hotel at Backbarrow, near Newby Bridge

Backbarrow, The Village c1965


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

Newby Bridge, the Swan Hotel 1914

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

Extracts From Penny Bridge & Cumbria books

Grange-Over-Sands, Hazlewood Hydro 1898

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".

Grange-Over-Sands, Hampsfell Road 1891

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".

Grange-Over-Sands, Hazlewood Hydro 1906

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".

Grange-Over-Sands, the Grand Hotel 1927

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".

Grange-Over-Sands, Hazlewood Terrace, Lindale Road 1906

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".