Historic 38-Bedroom Whitewater Hotel In Lake District Put Up For Sale At £2.5 Million
A historic 38-bedroom hotel in the Lake District has gone on the market for £2.5 million, offering a potential investment opportunity in Cumbria’s tourism sector.
The Whitewater Hotel is located at Newby Bridge, on a 1.4-acre site beside the River Leven within the Lake District National Park. The property combines its historic industrial heritage with established hotel, restaurant and leisure facilities, making it a substantial hospitality business in one of the North West’s best-known visitor destinations.
The freehold sale is being handled by Manchester-based Landwood Group, which is inviting offers in the region of £2.5 million. The property is being marketed as an opportunity for an operator looking to establish or expand a presence in the Lake District hospitality market.
The building has a history stretching back to Tudor times. Before becoming a hotel, the site served several industrial purposes, initially operating as a corn mill and later as a cotton mill. It subsequently became a factory producing Dolly Blue, the well-known laundry pigment once used to brighten white clothing.
Many original features of the historic building remain intact, providing a distinctive character that sets the property apart from more conventional hotels. Its industrial past is an important part of its identity, while several guest bedrooms benefit from views across the River Leven.
The hotel offers 38 bedrooms, providing accommodation for visitors exploring the southern Lake District. Its riverside setting and access to nearby attractions make it a potential base for holidaymakers looking to discover the surrounding countryside, villages and tourism destinations.
Food and drink facilities include the Riverside Restaurant and the Dolly Blue Bar. The property also has conference and function rooms, giving it the capacity to cater for business events, private functions and other gatherings alongside its accommodation operation.
Guests also have access to the Cascades Leisure Club, which offers a range of recreational and wellness facilities. These include an indoor swimming pool, gym, spa, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and squash court, providing additional attractions for hotel guests and leisure users.
The hotel's location places it close to several established visitor attractions. The Lakeland Motor Museum, which houses the Campbell Blue Bird Exhibition, is nearby and draws visitors interested in motoring history and engineering.
Another attraction in the surrounding area is the Haverthwaite steam railway. The heritage railway runs through the Leven Valley to Lakeside, where passengers can connect with Windermere Lake Cruises. Together, these attractions contribute to the area's appeal as a destination for visitors exploring the southern Lake District.
Landwood Group associate director Amy McDonald said the hotel's journey from corn mill to cotton mill and then Dolly Blue factory gave it a story few hotels could match. She highlighted its original features, National Park location and leisure facilities as important elements of the property's appeal.
McDonald also said there was considerable scope for a new owner to invest in and rejuvenate the business. The opportunity, she indicated, would allow an operator to build on the existing facilities, location and heritage while developing the hotel's future potential.
The property is being offered as a freehold sale, and viewings are strictly by appointment through Landwood Group. Interested parties will need to contact the selling agent to arrange access and obtain further information about the opportunity.
The proposed sale places a historic riverside property on the market at a time when the Lake District continues to attract visitors seeking accommodation, hospitality and leisure experiences. A successful buyer could take on an established hotel with a distinctive industrial history and a range of existing facilities.
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