Bridge of Aln Hotel, Whittingham

A real time-warp which has been in the same family ownership since 1918. An imposing Virginia creeper covered hotel still with its stables from its days as a coaching inn. The fittings are not sophisticated but are interesting as showing the kind of things installed in many a pub during the austerity years of the 1950s. The public bar with 'Select Bar' on the door from the corridor is virtually unchanged since then with a tiled fireplace, high-backed fixed seating and a bar counter which was a hatch in a screen until the early 1970s and 70s ply panels cover old wood on the front.

On the left is another public room also with 1950s fireplace and more high-backed fixed seating which creates a passage from the entrance. Note the tiny corner Formica top tables in the seating. There is no till just a drawer. The corridor on the right has a hatch which acted as the reception for the hotel. Across the corridor there is a lounge, formerly the dining room which is used for meetings, functions etc. and has another 1950s fireplace. Famous visitors include Ramsey MacDonald and his daughter Isabel in 1931 (there is a photo in the kitchen) and Ted Heath visited in 1971 (and 1982?) - see the photo on the bar back.