Flood warnings are in place for properties adjacent to the River Leven at Newby Bridge and Backbarrow including Swan Hotel, Boat Houses, Mill Farm, Whitewater Hotel, Water Close, Lakeland Village, Coach House and Levens Dale. Please review your flood plan.
The small, picturesque village of Backbarrow might be overlooked but it’s packed full of cool stuff to do, like the Whitewater Hotel.
The River Leven
The River Leven is a significant river for many reasons. For centuries it provided power for mills and factories that helped drive industrial advancement. It is also an important salmon and sea trout fishing river. However, over recent years disease has taken a toll on the migratory fish. 
As a result, the Leven Programme has been working to restore the river to its former glory. The Programme has been able to achieve some outstanding results thanks to the efforts of local communities, businesses and public bodies.
One of the main challenges of restoring the River Leven is its location within a very urban setting. There are a number of physical constraints to work around, including railways, roads and pipelines. However, this does not detract from the overall ambition to bring the River back to life.
Restoring the River Leven is not just about removing some of the river’s historic infrastructure, but also making it more responsive to natural processes. This will help to ensure that the River continues to work in the best possible way for its communities into the future.
The Leven Programme also aims to enhance the cultural, recreational and educational value of the river. This includes educating the public on its importance and encouraging volunteers to get involved in river clean-up and conservation projects.
The programme works closely with other organisations to share knowledge and resources. This helps to minimise disruption to the wider community and ensures that works are carried out in a time and manner that is appropriate for local communities and businesses. It has also been able to reduce costs and improve project timelines by sharing resources.
The Leven Programme has a long-term vision for the river’s restoration and is supported by local councillors and communities. However, creating such a change over such a large geographical area will take time and investment. It will also require a commitment from all stakeholders to work together to make a difference. This is why the Programme has been established to bring together local groups, businesses and other organisations that are interested in making a positive impact on the health of the River.
The Old Ironworks
If you want to walk in the footsteps of men and women who helped put the wheels of America in motion at its birth you need to stop at the Old Ironworks. It is a serene one hundred-year-old forest that is filled with the enterprise and energy of the past. The history here can feed your imagination and if you are hungry you can stop and get something to eat too.
The Ironworks was the home of a major plant that turned raw materials into goods and tools for America and for Europe as well. Iron was a vital material in the Industrial Revolution and helped propel the United States to its place at the top of the world’s powers in the 19th century.
In 1766 German Ironmaster Peter Hasenclever built Long Pond ironworks on the Wanaque River two miles below Long Pond (Greenwood Lake) and brought 500 highly skilled iron workers and their families from Germany. The workers burned and extracted iron ore to make pig iron. The pig iron was then forged into wrought iron. The wrought iron was used for things like nails, forks and tools but also made for weapons, including cannons. Farms and schools and whole support systems grew up around this rugged venture.
When the pig iron cooled it was rolled into large lumps and pounded with water-powered trip hammers the size of a man’s torso into sheets of wrought iron bars. These were then shaped into items by blacksmiths. The wrought iron was then annealed and tempered to prevent it from cracking or breaking.
Weapons and ammunition were produced at the old Ironworks for use in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War. When the Civil War came along the ironworkers at the Ironworks were producing a staggering 1,008 cannons per day. They were a critical source of supplies for the Union army and their efforts helped win the Civil War. Today the ruins of the Old Ironworks are a park where people can walk and enjoy nature and also visit the visitors center.
The World of Beatrix Potter
This family-friendly attraction is the place to go to see the inspiration behind the enchanting books of Beatrix Potter. Kids will love searching for Jemima Puddle-Duck in the leaves and Squirrel Nutkin up a tree. There’s also a re-creation of her cottage at Hill Top, which gives visitors a glimpse into the home where many of the Little Tales were written and illustrated.
In the village itself, there are several cafes and shops where you can get a bite to eat. The main street is lined with historic buildings, including the 18th century Church of St. John the Baptist. This beautiful building, which was originally constructed in 1715, is now used as a museum.
The river Leven is famous for its salmon and is a major draw for canoeists. It becomes especially turbulent and white with impressive rapids a mile or so downstream from the village, and scores of delicate canoes can be seen navigating the river’s challenges.
If you’re interested in learning more about the life of Beatrix Potter, there is a small museum in the village that showcases some of her original drawings and letters. The museum also offers guided tours of the cottage where she lived.
Located near the southern end of Lake Windermere, this small lake town is full of things to do and see. From museums to spas, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area. You can also ride the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, a heritage line that once ran from Lakeside to Haverthwaite.
When planning your trip to Backbarrow, make sure you have the right accommodations. A 3 bed property in Newby Bridge SZ024 is just 9.4 miles away from the World of Beatrix Potter and provides free WiFi and private parking. There’s also a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven. The bathroom is equipped with a bath and shower.
The World of Beatrix Potter is easy to reach from the rest of the Lake District by train or car. The train takes about an hour and 30 minutes to reach the village from Bowness-on-Windermere. You can also drive to the attraction by taking the A591 from the M6. The road can get a bit congested in the summer, so plan accordingly.
The Furness Railway
The Furness Railway opened in 1844 at a time when the number of railways was expanding exponentially. The railway was a significant part of the economy and it offered a fast and easy mode of transport for business travellers, holiday makers and locals alike.
The Railway’s main aim was to connect the iron ore mines at Barrow-in-Furness with markets, and it did this very effectively. The FR also recognised the potential for personal travel and tourism, and this was quickly tapped into with the opening of a branch line to Kendal and Windermere in 1847.
It is not hard to see why so many people were attracted by the Furness Railway; it was a fast, comfortable and relatively inexpensive way to travel around the lakes and the coast. The Railway realised the importance of this new market and worked hard to expand its services in order to capitalise on it.
One of the ways it did this was by forming joint ventures with other railways, including the Midland Company. The FR promoted a Bill to build the Furness and Midland Joint Railway between Wennington and Carnforth; this was meant to give easier access to the Yorkshire ironworks and coal-mines. The FR hoped to make a fortune through this arrangement, but the London and North Western Railway was skeptical of the scheme and argued that the FR already had enough access to its customers via the W&FJR’s line from the Whitehaven to Workington.
Despite the rift with the L&NWR, the FR extended its line to Barrow and took over the Ulverston Canal Company in 1862. It then doubled the line between Ulverston and Barrow in 1863 and doubled it again between Barrow and Carnforth in 1901.
This image shows a young man in an olive green uniform with a pair of ticket nippers, checking that everyone venturing onto the station platform has a valid ticket for their journey. This was a regular role from the opening of Barrow Central station until well into the days of British Rail.
The gentleman is Frank Pettigrew, Loco Carriage and Wagon Supt., who was born in 1858 and had served with the Great Eastern and LSWR. He was well qualified for the job, which probably meant he jumped at it when it became available, as it was an attractive offer given that the Furness Railway didn’t even design its own locomotives; they were bought off the peg from private builders.
