Armboth House, W. Jackson, Esq., on the west shore. Half way down the lake on the right, are some houses called Fisher's Place, near which are some pretty cascades formed by a stream flowing off Helvellyn. Pedestrians frequently cross Armboth Fell to the village of Watendlath, proceeding thence to Keswick. Splendid views of Derwentwater are obtained in the descent. Near the foot of Thirlemere, one extremity of the vale of St. John is passed. The views along it, with Saddleback beyond, are very fine. The celebrated "Castle Rock" stands at the entrance on the right. "From a field on the eastern side of the road, and a little short of the tenth milestone, the view of the vale of St. John presents a most singularly interesting assemblage of the wild and the lovely."-Green. Naddle Fell. 103 91 Toll Bar. The road rises gradually until it attains the height of 720 feet, at the pass of DUNMAIL RAISE. Enter Cumberland. Steel Fell on the left. Seat Sandal on the right. 84 Horse's Head, Wytheburn. The village, called locally "the city," is half a mile distant on the left. 52 Fair Field. Seat Sandal. 6" They now have reach'd that pile of stones, 7 Heap'd over brave King Dunmail's bones, He who once held supreme command, Last king of rocky Cumberland;] His bones, and those of all his power, Slain here in a disastrous hour." Wordsworth. Thirlemere is in view. The ascent of Helvellyn from this inn is shorter, but steeper, than from any other place. Opposite the inn, is the chapel which Wordsworth describes as "Wytheburn's modest house! of prayer, As lowly as the lowliest dwelling." Eagle Crag is seen hanging over the upper end of the lake, a sheet of water, environed by frowning precipices, two and a half miles long, 500 feet above the level of the sea, and about 100 feet in depth. There is a small island near the shore at its foot. It is so narrow as to allow a wooden bridge to be thrown across its middle. To obtain some picturesque views, the lake should be crossed by this bridge, and the road on the west shore taken, which joins the turnpike road, a little be10 yond the twelfth mile-stone. Raven Crag is a fine object near the foot. This lake is the property of T. S. Leathes, Esq., whose residence, Dalehead House, is in the neighbour 11 hood. Shoulthwaite Moss, backed by a rocky hill called Bend. 136 VI. AMBLESIDE.-LANGDALE.-ESKDALE.-EGREMONT.-WHITE HAVEN.-38 MILES. ***The whole of this route is seldom travelled continuously; but as most of it will be traversed in detached portions, it has been thought better to place the total distance under one description, from which the Tourist may select the sections he requires. In consequence of there being no inn at which posthorses are kept between Ambleside and Calder Bridge, carriages cannot pursue this route. moor. A little above the bridge in a deep dell near the road is a fine waterfall called Colwith Force, 70 feet in height. One Road into Great Langdale 33 cr. Colwith Bridge. 4 mile beyond, Little Langdale skirting the head of Elterwater Re-enter Westmorland. Fell Foot. The road winds steeply to the summit of WRYNOSE, (Pronounced locally Raynuz.) Enter Lancashire. Descend to Summit of HARD KNOT. Descend into ESKDALE. The mountains encircling 243 cr. Esk Bridge. Eskdale, are the Seathwaite Fells on the left, and projeotions from Scawfell on the right. Tarn is perceived. Wetherlam, a stupendous mountain, rises on the south of the tarn. Mountain road through Tilberthwaite to Coniston,5 miles. The toilsome ascent of Wrynose is commenced at this place. The retrospective views are fine. Wansfell Pike is seen in the distance. The Carrs, and Coniston Fells. Traces of a Roman road over both Hardknot and Wrynose are yet remaining. 10 The Duddon bends at this place; and, passing through the beautiful vale of Seathwaite, enters Morecambe Bay, near Broughton. The distance between Cockley Beck and 12 Broughton by the road is 12 miles. The pedestrian is strongly advised to traverse this valley, unsurpassed in picturesque and retired beauty by any other in the Lake district. It may be approached from Coniston by the Walna Scar road. There is an inn at Newfield, 4 or 5 miles down the valley. The Duddon is the subjectof a series of sonnets by Wordsworth. This beautiful vale is watered by the Esk, which, after a 131 course of about 16 miles, enters the sea near Ravenglass. The valley is narrow at the spot where it is entered, but it widens rapidly towards the west. It contains two or three hamlets and a few scattered houses. Great numbers of sheep are pastured in it. ON RIGHT FROM AMBLESIDE. AMBLESIDE TO WHITEHAVEN-Continued. From From Ambles. ON LEFT FROM AMBLESIDE. The Wool Pack, a small inn, 23 is a short distance from the road. The inn is a little to the 22 right of the road. At this place a mountain road leaves, Eskdale,and passing Burnmoor Tarn, enters Wastdale Head between the Screes and Scawfell, 6 miles. The latter mountain may be ascended from; Eskdale. On elevated ground, 4 miles south of Bout, there is a lonely tarn, with a rocky island in its centre, called Devoke Water. About half a mile from its foot are some ruins called Barnscar, which, according to tradition, were a Danish city. The 18 situation is marked by several small piles of stones. No record of such a place has, however, come down to us. A number of silver coins have been found lat it. Here a road diverges to 163 Strands, a small village, one mile from the foot of Wast Water. From Latterbarrow an eminence, under which the road passes, there is a fine view of the lake. Road to Strands, four miles. 13 Birker Force, a fine cascade, may be seen from the road amongst the cliffs. The rocks around are very grand. At the schoolhouse a road strikes off to the left, conducting to Dalegarth Hall, now a farm house, but formerly a residence of the Stanleys of Ponsonby, at which directions will be given to a noble waterfall, called Stanley Gill or Dalegarth Force. The stream is crossed three times by wooden bridges on approaching the fall. The chasm is exceedingly grand. Returning, the Eskdale and Wastdale mountains, with Scawfel amongst them, are seen in fine outline. Road to Ravenglass, a small town, 19 miles from Ulverston, and 16 miles from Whitehaven, seated in an arm of the sea at the confluence of the Esk, Irt, and Mite. A small coasting trade is carried on as well as ship-building and oyster fishing. Muncaster Castle, Lord Muncaster's seat, is near it. cr. Santon Bridge, 213 Black Combe, a lofty hill, 7 across the Irt, which flows from Wast Water. miles to the south of the town, commands an extensive view of the coast. The Welsh mountains, and the Isle of Man, are within the boundary of the view. In the churchyard is a stone pillar of great antiquity, covered with illegible carvings. Ponsonby Hall, J.E.Stanley, Esq. Here there is a good hotel. 35 Linethwaite. WHITEHAVEN. 38 Inns, Black Lion, Globe. Hensingham House, Henry Keekle Grove, Mrs Allinson. 3 Summer Grove, Major Sped ding. *Egremont is a neat market town, containing about 1500 inhabitants, seated at the distance of two miles and a half from the coast, upon the banks of the Ehen, the stream which flows from Ennerdale Lake. It is stated to have been a borough at the period when Parliamentary representatives were remunerated for their services; and that, to avoid the expense of a member, the burgesses petitioned to have the burgh disfranchised, which was accordingly done. The Parish Church is an ancient edifice, dedicated to St Mary. It was granted by William de Meschiens to the Cell of St Bees. Upon an eminence to the west of the town stand the ruins of Egremont Castle, formerly a place of great strength and importance. It was built by the above named William de Meschiens soon after the Norman Conquest. In the lapse of time it passed into the possession of the Lucy family. There is a tradition respecting the fortress whilst belonging to the Lucies, which Wordsworth has versified in some stanzas entitled, The Horn of Egremont Castle." General Wyndham is the present owner of both the Manor and Castle of Egremont. Large quantities of iron ore are excavated in the neighbourhood, which are conveyed to Whitehaven unsmelted, and thence shipped to South Wales. St Bees, at which there is a fine Conventual Church, is two and a half miles distant. A good road, of seven miles in length, conducts to the foot of Ennerdale Lake. The distances from Egremont to the neighbouring towns are, Ravenglass, 11 miles; Broughton, 20 miles; Ulverston, 30 miles; Cockermouth, 13 miles; Maryport, 20 miles. The valley through which the road passes, is watered by a small stream, which enters the large bay, near the foot of Bassenthwaite Water, called Peel Wyke. The opposite shore is pleasantly indented with several promontories, the three principal of which are called Scarness, Braidness, and Bowness. There is a fine breadth of cultivated land, sprinkled with hamlets and solitary houses, between the lake and the mountains. The road traverses a thickly wooded country, at the base of Wythop Fells, Barf, and Lord's Seat. One of West's stations is at Beck Wythop, whence, says he, the whole cultivated land, between the lake and the mountains, is seen in all its beauty, and Skiddaw appears nowhere of such majestic height as from this place. Many pretty villas adorn this little village. From eminences in the neighbourhood, views both of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake are commanded. 10 8 Brigham Chapel on the left. The village is half a mile to the right. COCKERMOUTH, seated on the Derwent, at the junction of the Cocker. Wheat Sheaf. BASSENTHWAITE LAKE. A handsome freestone arch, with an entablature adorned with the arms of the Lowther family, spans the road on leaving the town for the north. Moresby Church: Moresby Hall, Miss Tate. Parton and Harrington, two small sea-ports,are near Moresby. At the south-end of the village, are the ruins of Hayes Castle, once the residence of the Moresby family. 64 Road to Workington. Junction of the road from Workington to Cockermouth. These towns are eight miles 14 from each other. The former is a sea-port, carrying on a considerable coasting trade. There are several extensive collieries in the neighbourhood, chiefly belonging to H. C. Curwen, Esq. of Workington Hall. 18 Road to Carlisle, skirting the foot of the lake. 17 This lake is approached at its widest part. It is four miles 19 in length, about three-quarters of a mile in breadth, and seventy-two feet in extreme depth. Skiddaw on its east side, fur20nishes, in combination with the water, many splendid views. Beyond the head, are Wallow and Falcon Crags, backed by Bleaberry Fell and High Seat. At the foot of Skiddaw, is Dodd Fell, and in the distance Helvellyn is visible. In front of a portion of Skiddaw, called Long Side, and near the margin of the lake, stand Bassenthwaite Church and Mirehouse, the re234 sidence of John Spedding, Esq. A road, nine miles in length, 2 cr. the stream from 25 leads through Newlands to Buttermere. The lower part of the vale is picturesque, the 25 upper, wild. ON RIGHT FROM KESWICK. VIII.-KESWICK.-BORROWDALE.-BUTTERMERE.-SCALE HILL.COCKERMOUTH.-25 MILES. From Cockerm. From Keswick. ON LEFT FROM KESWICK. Grange Bridge, and the vil- 213 lage of Grange. The road returns to Keswick by the west 20 margin of Derwent Water. Borrowdale, a valley 6 miles long, and containing 2000 acres, is now entered. It is watered, in its whole length, by the river Grange, which, after it issues from Derwent Water, takes the name of Derwent. At Castle Crag the road and the bed of the river occupy all the level portion, but beyond the vale widens considerably. Above Rosthwaite the valley divides into two branches; the eastern branch is called Stonethwaite. Borrowdale formerly belonged to Furness Abbey. Here is a small inn. This is 19 the widest part of the valley. The mountain Glaramara is seen in front. Scawfell Pikes, Scawfell and Great Gavel are seen over Seathwaite, KESWICK. Road to the Lake. Thrang Crag. The celebrated fall lies behind the inn, on the stream] running from Watendlath! Tarn. Its height is 100 feet. Gowder Crag on the left, Shepherd's Crag on the right of the fall. Grange Crag. There is a good view from this eminence. Shortly before reaching this point, a road deviates to, and passes, Bowder Stone, re-entering the main road a little beyond. This mass of rock has been likened to A stranded ship with keel upturn'd that rests Careless of winds or wave. It is 62 feet long, 36 feet high, and 89 feet in circumference. It has been estimated to weigh 1971 tons, and to contain 23,000 cubic feet. The view hence is exquisitely beautiful. Half a mile beyond, near Borrowdale Chapel, a road diverges to the valley and village of Stonethwaite. Eagle Crag is a fine rock near the latter. mountain path proceeds over the Stake, a lofty pass, into Langdale. A Near this bridge the road into Wastdale, by Sty Head, strikes off. The well known black lead mine, and the immense Borrowdale Yews, are near Seatollar. The former is the only mine of the kind in England. The largest of the yews is 21 feet in girth. Honister Crag, 1700 feet high. Here are some valuable slate quarries belonging to General Wyndham. |