Located less than an hour from Laurel and Hardy Museum, this hotel is perfect for history buffs. Enjoy access to the new fabulous Cascades Health and Fitness Club, and a delicious menu of pub meals in The Dolly Blue Bar & Restaurant.
Developed during the industrial revolution, Dolly Blue dye became an iconic household staple and symbolised the shift from time-consuming to convenient domestic chores. Today, finding Dolly Blue is sporadic and often only available in antique shops or online marketplaces.
1. The Whitewater Hotel
The Dolly Blue Bar embodies a unique aspect of Britain’s industrial and social history, and the Whitewater Hotel is the ideal place to enjoy this fascinating tale. The hotel combines comfort, luxury, and a deep connection to the area’s past, creating an unforgettable experience for guests. The hotel is located a short distance from the Backbarrow Ultramarine Works, which serves as an ideal backdrop for anyone interested in this fascinating piece of history.
The Whitewater Hotel offers guests a number of different amenities to enhance their stay, including the Riverside Restaurant and the Dolly Blue Bar & Restaurant. The bar and restaurant feature a picturesque riverside location, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring. The restaurant also provides guests with a selection of delicious food options, ranging from pub classics to more sophisticated dishes.
During their stay, guests of the Whitewater Hotel can also indulge in one of the many spa experiences available. The hotel has partnered with the famous Cascades Spa and offers guests access to a range of different services, including facials, massages, and body treatments. The spa also features a sauna, steam room, and indoor and outdoor pools.
In addition to the luxurious spa and hotel facilities, The Whitewater Hotel is also home to a variety of other exciting activities. The hotel is a short distance from the popular Lakeland Motor Museum, and guests can take a ride on the Haverthwaite and Lakeside Railway, which features a 3.2 mile-long heritage railway track. Those interested in a challenging adventure can visit the Cliffhangerrooms, an award-winning escape room.
The Whitewater Hotel is a charming retreat for families interested in exploring the Lake District. The ground-floor apartment features two bedrooms, including a double and a bunk, and can accommodate up to four people. There are also a number of amenities to make the stay more enjoyable, including a modern kitchen and a sleek shower room. Guests can also enjoy roadside parking nearby, and the apartment is conveniently located near several family-friendly attractions.
2. The Dolly Blue Bar & Restaurant
The River Leven is the centerpiece of this scenic landscape, offering both a stunning natural setting and a rich historic heritage. A visit to the Dolly Blue Bar and Restaurant, a venue that is built on the foundations of the former Backbarrow Ultramarine Works, is one way to experience both of these aspects of Lakeland’s unique history.
The Dolly Blue Bar & Restaurant, which is a dog-friendly eatery, offers a scenic setting where guests can enjoy drinks and pub food in a relaxed environment. The eatery serves a range of dishes that showcase local ingredients and culinary creativity, making it an ideal location for casual dining or special occasions. The Dolly Blue Bar and Restaurant also has an inviting beer garden that overlooks the River Leven, creating a picturesque backdrop for leisurely meals and cocktails.
Back in the day, Dolly Blue was a popular laundry dye that added a subtle blue tint to white fabrics, counteracting yellowing and allowing the garments to appear brighter. The iconic product was a small, solid cake of blue pigment that housekeepers would dissolve in water to wash their fabrics. The process was a delicate balance, as it was important to get the right hue and consistency of Dolly Blue that effectively whitened the fabric while avoiding any damage or staining.
Today, Dolly Blue is less of a household name, but the legacy of the pigment lives on in a variety of landmarks, establishments, and narratives that celebrate this unique aspect of British industrial and social history. The Dolly Blue Bar and Restaurant, for instance, is a popular destination that provides an unforgettable experience for visitors to the area. The eatery’s menu, décor, and atmosphere all nod to the pigment’s history, providing a glimpse into a bygone era of domestic life and ingenuity.
The Dolly Blue Bar and Restaurant offers a diverse selection of light bites and cocktails, including the signature bourbon baba (a yeasted cake soaked in bourbon, honey, orange, and cardamom syrup) and a range of classic drinks like the Old Fashioned. The drinks are made with premium spirits and ingredients, including Michter’s bourbon, Kikori Japanese whisky, maple demerara syrup, and creme de menthe. The Dolly Blue Bar is a must-visit for anyone looking for an unforgettable experience on the banks of the River Leven in Backbarrow.
3. The Backbarrow Ultramarine Works
Situated within the picturesque village of Backbarrow is this attractive retreat, offering a contemporary finish and an ideal base for exploring Lake District attractions. Step inside and you’ll be welcomed by bedrooms that include a double and bunk room, complete with ample storage for your belongings. Next up is the open-plan living area, where you can kick back on one of the plush settees and watch a film on the Smart TV or rustle up a snack in the modern kitchen. A sleek shower room is also on hand to help you start your day in style.
The history of Dolly Blue is an illuminating one, symbolising a key shift in the way household products are manufactured. Developed during the early 1900s, it was an example of the era’s ingenuity, reflecting a shift towards more convenient solutions to domestic chores.
Known for its brilliant hue and durability, ultramarine was originally mined from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, which was expensive to produce. However, the 19th century saw a breakthrough with the development of synthetic ultramarine, bringing down production costs and making the dye more widely available.
The Backbarrow Ultramarine Works is home to a fascinating collection of objects and images that tell the story of this pivotal chapter in British manufacturing. Its museum exhibits the processes and equipment that made ultramarine pigments – including Dolly Blue – as well as iron founding, gunpowder production, bobbin-making and more.
You’ll find a sense of intrigue at every turn in the museum, from the evocative brick walls to the pipe-laden ceiling. There are plenty of striking decorative touches too, from wrought iron monkeys that hold umbrella-shaped lamps to playful wall sconces in the shape of antique kegs.
During World War Two Reckitt’s carton-filling plant in Hull was bombed and the work moved to Backbarrow where they continued producing Dolly Blue until 1981. The factory is now a hotel and it maintains a display of machinery used in the manufacture of the product.
The award-winning Whitewater Hotel and Cascades Spa is a stunning Lake district escape that offers the perfect blend of modern luxury and historic intrigue. With 38 luxury en-suite bedrooms and first class dining options, the hotel is an idyllic base from which to discover Dolly Blue and the surrounding area. Book your stay today and begin planning your getaway to this incredible Lake district retreat.
