The industrial history of Leven Valley can be traced back to Tudor times.  Along the banks of the river Leven from Newby Bridge to Greenodd, a short distance of about four miles,  many industries have existed over the centuries.

The earliest industry recorded at Backbarrow was a corn mill owned and managed by the nearby Cartmel Priory in the year 1541. Other industries recorded along the river banks were, bobbin mills, textile mills, iron smelting furnaces, a paper mill, a fulling mill, dye works, gunpowder mills, a pyroligneous acid plant, an ultramarine pigment factory, and ships wharves.

A general view of the industrial Leven Valley taken 1934.

Many other more modest industries have also existed here including, blacksmith’s forges, eel traps, oak basket makers, besom broom makers, timber yards, and slate quarries.

It may be asked why so many industries came to the Leven Valley, the answer is inevitably water power. The river Leven is the overflow from Lake Windermere and the river at Backbarrow  in full flow was estimated to produce 200 horse power. On occasions when in full flood the river could produce considerably more. In November 2009 the river flooded  a number of houses the destroyed much of the ground floor of White Water Hotel and the fishermans bar, the ancient Backbarrow road bridges walls were washed away and a foot bridge down stream used by resident and school children to cross the river were also washed away. Where is the Leven Valley?