lam, a stupendous hill on the north; and the last is placed at the foot of Dow Crag. Low Water, notwithstanding its name, is the highest. The most eligible mode of ascending the Old Man is to leave the village of Coniston by the Walna Scar road, and, pursuing the way along the common for a few hundred yards, to take a path which will be seen to climb the mountain side on the right. This path leads directly up to the Man, finely built on the edge of a precipice overhanging Low Water. There is a fine open view to the south, embracing the estuaries of the Kent, Leven, and Duddon, a long line of coast, and, in serene weather, the Isle of Man. Snowdon may be distinguished on a very clear day. It appears a little to the left of Black Combe, over Millum Park. In the home views the eye will be attracted by Coniston Lake, the whole length of which is immediately below the spectator. A part of Windermere can be seen more to the east. On other sides the Old Man is surrounded by high mountains, which wear an aspect of imposing grandeur from this elevation. Scawfell and Bowfell are particularly fine, and the apex of Skiddaw can be discerned in the distance. LANGDALE PIKES. THE two peculiarly shaped hills, which stand at the head of the valley of Great Langdale, though known by the general name of Langdale Pikes, have sepaThe most southerly is termed Pike o' rate names. Stickle, and is lower by 100 feet than Harrison Stickle, which is 2400 feet in height. They are of a porphyritic structure, and, on account of their steepness, are somewhat difficult to ascend. They are conspicuous objects from the upper end of Windermere, and from the road leading from Kendal to Ambleside. They are usually ascended during the Langdale excursion, (as to which see page 26,) but pedestrians would have no difficulty in making the ascent from the Stake, or from Grasmere through Easdale. The easiest mode, however, is that from Langdale. A guide can be procured at Milbecks, where Tourists commonly take some refreshment. The path pursues a peat road leading to Stickle Tarn, well known to the angler for its fine trout, which lies under a lofty ridge of rock called Pavey Ark. This tarn must be left on the right, and a streamlet which runs down the hill side taken as a guide. The path becomes at this part exceedingly steep, but a little patient exertion will soon place the Tourist on the summit of Harrison Stickle. Though of considerably inferior elevation to the other mountains we have described, the views from this spot are extremely fine. Looking eastward, Helvellyn, Seat Sandal, and Fairfield bound the prospect; and, in the north-west and north, Skiddaw and Saddleback are seen in the distance. Stickle Tarn is immediately below the eye, guarded by the frowning heights of Pavey Ark. In the south-east are the hills around the valley of Ambleside, beyond those at the head of Troutbeck and Kentmere. In turning to the south, the eye is attracted by the valley of Great Langdale, containing Elterwater and Loughrigg Tarn, and terminated by Windermere, with Curwen's Isle and the other islands diversifying its smooth surface. Loughrigg Fell conceals a portion of the head of the lake as well as the town of Ambleside. Underbarrow Scar, near Kendal, is seen over Bowness. Esthwaite Water is seen in the south-south-east, and close at hand, towards the right, is the bluff summit of Wetherlam End. A small part of the sea is embraced in the view in this direction. Through an opening, having on the left Pike o' Bliscoe, and on the right Crinkle Crags, Gatescale is presented in the north. The Old Man and the Great Carrs shut in the prospect in the south-west. 118 II. KENDAL-BOWNESS-HAWKSHEAD-CONISTON.-18 MILES. In crossing, the views up the lake, and of the mountains round the head, are extremely fine. Looking down, Gummer's How, on the east margin, is conspicuous. Turnpike Gate. 92 Bowness, with its church, school, and villas, is a pretty 9 Jobject. Belle Isle on the right. Strangers are allowed to land. It contains upwards of thirty acres. Mr. Curwen's house, of a circular shape, is upon it. From the summit of the jascent from the Ferry, Ingleborough is visible. The Old Man is in sight. This lake is two miles in length, and one-third of a mile in breadth. The scenery around it is pleasing, but destitute of any features of grandeur. A peninsula swells from the west shore, and pleasantly relieves the monotonous regularity of the margin. The stream which issues from it, is called the Cunsey; it enters Windermere a mile and a half below the Ferry. Many handsome villas enliven the banks of the lake. In a pond near the head, is a diminutive floating island, having upon it several small trees. At the termination of the ascent, the lake and vale of Coniston, hemmed in by magnificent mountains, break upon the eye with almost theatrical surprise. Waterhead House, Marshall, Esq., on the left. Coniston Village lies immediately under the Man mountain, half a mile from the western margin of the lake. It has two small inns. 7 5 Between the two promon- Ferry Inn. Sawrey vill. HAWKSHEAD. To Ambleside, 5 miles. Over elevated ground to 1 Coniston Waterhead Inn, a better Inn, and more CONISTON VILL. 2 41 7 81 St. Thomas' Church. Keep to the left: the road on the right is to Ambleside. Furness Fells in the distant foreground. Storr's Hall, Mrs. Bolton. Berkshire Isle, and a little beyond, the Storr's Point projects. At the Ferry Inn, enquire for the Station House, whence there is a splendid view of the lake. "This vagrant owl hath learn'd his cheer On the banks of Windermere ; 8 Where a band of them make merry, 11 13 17 Mocking the man that keeps the Ferry, Hallooing from an open throat, Like travellers shouting for a boat." Wordsworth's Waggoner. Langdale Pikes are visible: on the right is the Pass of Dunmail Raise, to the east of which are Helvellyn, Seat Sandal, and Fairfield. The apex of Skiddaw is seen through Dunmail] Raise gap. Hawkshead is a small but ancient market-town at the head of the valley of Esthwaite. The old hall where the Abbots of Furness held their Courts, is a farm-house, lying about a mile distant. St. Michael's! Church, a structure of great antiquity, is placed on a rocky! eminence immediately over the town, commanding fine views! of the adjacent country. "the grassy churchyard hangs Upon a slope above the village school. This school was founded in 1585, by Archbishop Sandys, a member of an ancient family still seated in the neighbourhood. The poet Wordsworth, and his brother, the present Master of Trinity College,Cambridge, were educated here. In the verses of the former, allusion is frequently made to 18 The antique market village, where were passed My school-days." From Coniston village, or the Inn at Waterhead, a mountain road, five and a half miles in length, passes through Tilberthwaite, between Oxen Fell Cross on the right, and Wetherlam on the left, and joins the Little Langdale road at Fellfoot. The pedestrian might proceed by way of Blea Tarn into Great Langdale. Another road, five miles in length, passing through Yewdale, and climbing the moor on the east of Oxen Fell, enters the road leading from Ambleside to Little Langdale, half a mile abovel Skelwith Bridge. A pleasing excursion round the lake might be made by Tourists staying at the Waterhead Inn. Coniston village, one mile; Coniston Hall, formerly a seat of the Flemings of Rydal, but now a farm-house, two miles; on the left, some elevated fells are then interposed between the road and lake. Torver village, three and a half miles. A little beyond Torver Church, turn to the left, the road crosses the rivulet flowing from Gateswater, which lies at the foot of Dow-Crag on the Old Man, and approaches the lake at Oxen Houses, five and a half miles. A short distance from the foot, Bowdray Bridge over the Crake, eight and a half miles. Nibthwaite village, nine miles, by the east margin to Waterhead Inn, 17 miles. |