Backbarrow parking is simple once you know where to go.
The village sits beside the River Leven, just off the A590, and most of its roads are narrow and residential.
The village has no large public car park, so this guide covers free parking at the Whitewater Hotel and Cascades, a couple of roadside lay-bys, nearby paid car parks, and where to charge an electric car.
Each suggestion includes a map, address, and Google Maps link for directions.
Free Parking at the Whitewater Hotel and Cascades
Right here in Lakeland Village, beside the River Leven
Related: Things to Do in and Around Backbarrow Village
If you are visiting the Whitewater Hotel, the Dolly Blue Bar, the Riverside Restaurant or Cascades Health Spa & Fitness Club, you can park for free on site.
The car parks are for people using those facilities, so please don’t leave your car here for a day out elsewhere.
Staying guests, diners, drinkers and spa or gym visitors are all welcome to use them.
Coming from the M6, leave at junction 36 and follow the A590 towards Barrow.
Just past Newby Bridge, a stretch of dual carriageway ends with a sharp left-hand bend.
A few hundred yards along the straight, the turn for the Whitewater Hotel and Lakeland Village is on the right.
Follow the brown tourist signs for the Lakeland Motor Museum, and you will find the hotel from there.
For sat nav, use the postcode LA12 8PX or the coordinates 54.256213, -2.98956.
Address: The Whitewater Hotel and Spa, Lakeland Village, Newby Bridge, Backbarrow, Ulverston LA12 8PX
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dafw8xe7hqzFsh4q7
Roadside Parking in Backbarrow
Roadside parking in and around Backbarrow is limited.
The A590 is a busy trunk road with fast traffic, and the old road through the village is narrow, with homes on both sides.
We have not found any marked public parking bays on the old road or on Ironworks Road, which is now mainly housing.
The two spots below are the most useful lay-bys we could confirm.
Always check the signs and road markings when you arrive, and never park on verges, in passing places or across driveways and field gates.
A590 Lay-by at High Brow Edge
About a 10-minute walk from the Dolly Blue Bar
This lay-by sits on the A590 just west of Backbarrow, at High Brow Edge.
It is a surfaced lay-by beside a 60 mph trunk road, so it suits a short stop rather than all-day parking.
Take extra care pulling in and out, as traffic moves quickly here.
If you are heading to the Dolly Blue Bar, the hotel or Cascades, use the free car park in Lakeland Village instead.
Address: A590 lay-by, High Brow Edge, Backbarrow, Ulverston LA12 8QG (nearest postcode)
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/sCBgbwXWKPPCjjkC6
B5278 Lay-by near Low Wood, Haverthwaite
About 5 minutes by car from the Dolly Blue Bar
Walkers often use this lay-by on the B5278, just south of Haverthwaite.
From the A590, take the turning opposite the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, turn left onto the B5278 and cross the River Leven.
The lay-by is on the right, about 200 metres after the bridge.
It is handy for walks around Low Wood, Bigland and the Leven valley.
The surface is unpaved, so it can be muddy after rain.
Address: B5278 lay-by near Low Wood, Haverthwaite, Ulverston LA12 8LY (nearest postcode, Clock Tower Works)
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/uPk3j9DMYtBcEMUC8
Paid Car Parks Near Backbarrow
A short drive from Backbarrow gets you to several larger car parks.
Prices below were checked in October 2026 and can change, so always check the tariff board when you arrive.
Haverthwaite Station (Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway)
About 2 minutes by car from the Dolly Blue Bar
The railway’s car park sits just off the A590 at Haverthwaite Station.
It is the closest paid car park to Backbarrow and a good choice if you are riding the steam train.
The railway cannot guarantee space for camper vans, motorhomes or caravans because the car park is small.
Charges: £2.50 for 2 hours, £3.50 all day (pay and display, from the railway’s website)
Spaces: 150, including disabled parking
Address: Haverthwaite Station, Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, Nr Ulverston LA12 8AL
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/ktqxMTJhko6CErLo9
Lakeside Car Park (Pier, Aquarium and Station)
About 5 minutes by car from the Dolly Blue Bar
This large pay and display car park at the foot of Windermere serves Lakeside Pier, the Lakes Aquarium and Lakeside Station.
It works well if you want to catch a Windermere Lake Cruises boat or ride the steam train back towards Haverthwaite.
Charges: £5.00 all day (from Windermere Lake Cruises, October 2026); check the board on arrival
Spaces: About 300
Address: Lakeside Pier, Lakeside, Ulverston LA12 8AS
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/roR8sjPogzXhuXf2A
Fell Foot (National Trust)
About 7 minutes by car from the Dolly Blue Bar
Fell Foot is a lakeside park at the southern tip of Windermere, with a café, play area and watersports.
The car parks use number plate recognition, so there are no paper tickets.
National Trust members park free by scanning their card at the machine or validating in the JustPark app.
Blue Badge holders also park free, but should see the Welcome Team on arrival so they can note your number plate.
Charges: Non-members: £7 up to 2 hours, £8.50 up to 4 hours, £10 all day (National Trust tariff, as reported in September 2026)
Payment: Parking machines or the JustPark app
Address: National Trust Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, Ulverston LA12 8NN
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/q7Y7U7yi6EoKWoqG8
High Dam Car Park, Finsthwaite
About 7 minutes by car from the Dolly Blue Bar
This small Lake District National Park car park is the start point for the walk up to High Dam tarn.
Charges apply every day from 9am to 6pm, including Sundays and bank holidays.
The National Park does not publish the prices online, so check the sign at the machine.
Carry some coins, as card payments may not work if the machine has no signal.
The lane must be kept clear for farm and emergency vehicles, and overnight parking is not allowed.
Payment: Pay and display (coins and cards) or RingGo, location 37301
Spaces: 28
Address: High Dam Car Park, Finsthwaite, Colton, Ulverston LA12 8BJ
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/2NWqhRq4XNPPTD287
Gummer’s How Car Park (free)
About 5 minutes by car from the Dolly Blue Bar
This one is free, but it fits here as a handy option for the short climb up Gummer’s How.
The Forestry England car park on Fell Foot Brow has around 20 spaces and is open every day.
It fills quickly on fine days, so arrive early.
Postcodes for this car park vary between sources, so follow the map link rather than a postcode.
Charges: Free
Address: Gummers How Car Park, Fell Foot Brow, Staveley-in-Cartmel, Ulverston LA11 6NX
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hdz7qHsHBKgDYdj39
EV Charging in Backbarrow and Nearby
Lakeland Village Charge Point, Backbarrow
A minute’s walk from the Dolly Blue Bar
The only charger we found in Backbarrow is outside the Lakeland Village main office, at The Coach House.
It is run independently by Charge My Street, and you use the Fuuse app to start and pay for a charge.
There is a single connector, so it may be in use when you arrive.
We have not found a separate charger run by the Whitewater Hotel itself.
Charger: 1 × Type 2, about 7 kW AC
Price: 59p per kWh (Zapmap, September 2026)
Network: Charge My Street, via the Fuuse app
Address: The Coach House, Lakeland Village, Backbarrow, Ulverston LA12 8PX
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/R8dige3JB6A6oNjj6
InstaVolt Rapid Chargers, Booths Ulverston
About 10 minutes by car from the Dolly Blue Bar
For a rapid charge, the nearest hub we found is InstaVolt at Booths in Ulverston, just off the A590.
It is open 24 hours, and you simply tap a contactless card to start.
Booths has food, hot drinks and toilets while you wait.
Chargers: 6 units: CCS up to 80 kW (one listed at 160 kW) and CHAdeMO up to 60 kW
Price: £0.92 per kWh (InstaVolt, October 2026)
Address: InstaVolt, Booths Roundabout, Oubas Hill, Ulverston LA12 7LY
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/5it2pHk2A8fGThMi9
Where to Stay in Backbarrow
Right here in Lakeland Village, beside the River Leven
The Whitewater Hotel is the easiest place to stay in Backbarrow if you are travelling by car, with free parking on site.
The building was once a Victorian cotton mill and later the Dolly Blue pigment works, and it sits right beside the River Leven.
Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and WiFi, and many have riverside views.
There are 12 family rooms, and breakfast is served in the Riverside Restaurant.
Windermere is just a mile to the north, so you can leave the car parked and still be close to the lake.
Click here to see rooms at the Whitewater Hotel
Website: https://www.whitewater-hotel.co.uk/
Riverside Restaurant: https://www.whitewater-hotel.co.uk/food-and-drink/riverside-restaurant-newby-bridge/
Phone: 01539 531133
Address: Lakeland Village, Newby Bridge, Backbarrow, Ulverston LA12 8PX
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dafw8xe7hqzFsh4q7
Things to Do Nearby
A minute’s walk from the Dolly Blue Bar
Cascades Health Spa & Fitness Club is on the same site as the hotel, so once you have parked, you can walk straight over.
It has a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.
There is also a well-equipped gym, fitness classes and a range of treatments.
It makes a good wet-weather plan, or a way to unwind after a day on the fells.
Click here to find out more about Cascades Health Spa & Fitness Club
Website: https://www.whitewater-hotel.co.uk/spa-fitness/
Phone: 01539 531191
Address: Lakeland Village, Newby Bridge, Backbarrow, Ulverston LA12 8PY
Directions (from Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZ35PGHfkUFquH869
Final Notes on Backbarrow Parking and EV Charging
Car parks around the south end of Windermere fill up fastest on sunny weekends, bank holidays and during the school holidays.
Arrive early in the day, or come later in the afternoon, if you want to be sure of a space at Fell Foot, Lakeside or High Dam.
At High Dam, ticket data from the National Park shows 10am is the busiest hour and August the busiest month.
Please park with care in the village.
Backbarrow’s roads are narrow and lived-in, so don’t block driveways, gates or the lanes farmers rely on.
On the A590, only stop in marked lay-bys, never on the verge, and watch for fast traffic when you pull out.
Overnight parking is not allowed in National Park car parks, and Haverthwaite Station cannot promise space for camper vans or caravans.
If you would rather leave the car behind, Stagecoach buses 6 and X6 run along the A590 between Ulverston and Kendal, so check the latest timetable before you travel.
If you are coming to eat, drink, stay or swim with us, the free car park in Lakeland Village is the simplest option of all.
Parking in Backbarrow: FAQs
Is there free parking in Backbarrow?
Yes, if you are using the Whitewater Hotel, the Dolly Blue Bar, the Riverside Restaurant or Cascades Health Spa & Fitness Club.
The car parks in Lakeland Village are free for people using those facilities.
Gummer’s How car park, a short drive away, is also free.
Where can I charge an electric car in Backbarrow?
There is one Charge My Street charge point outside the Lakeland Village main office at The Coach House, LA12 8PX.
It has a single Type 2 connector at about 7 kW, and you use the Fuuse app.
The nearest rapid chargers are the InstaVolt units at Booths in Ulverston.
How much is parking at Haverthwaite Station?
The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway car park is pay and display, at £2.50 for 2 hours or £3.50 all day, according to the railway’s website in October 2026.
Can I park on the A590 near Backbarrow?
Only in marked lay-bys, and only for short stops.
The A590 is a busy trunk road with fast traffic, so never park on the verge and take care pulling out.
Is parking free at Fell Foot?
It is free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders.
Other visitors pay at the machines or through the JustPark app, with charges reported in September 2026 at £7 for up to 2 hours, £8.50 for up to 4 hours and £10 all day.
