DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR THE TOURIST. Windermere.-Ambleside.-Coniston.-Ulpha Kirk.-Road from Ambleside to Keswick.-Grasmere.-The Vale of Keswick.-Buttermere and Crummock.-- Loweswater.-Wastdale.-Ullswater, with its tributary Streams.-Hawes- VIEW OF THE COUNTRY AS FORMED BY NATURE. Vales diverging from a common Centre.-Effect of Light and Shadow as depen- dant upon the Position of the Vales.-Mountains, their Substance,-Sur- faces, and Colours.-Winter Colouring.-The Vales,-Lakes,—Islands,— Retrospect.-Primitive Aspect.-Roman and British Antiquities.-Feudal Ten- antry,—their Habitations and Enclosures -Tenantry reduced in Number by the Union of the Two Crowns.-State of Society after that Event.-Cottages, -Bridges,-Places of Worship,-Parks and Mansions.-General Picture of CHANGES, AND RULES OF TASTE FOR PREVENTING THEIR BAD EFFECTS. Tourists.-New Settlers.-The Country disfigured.-Causes of false Taste in Grounds and Buildings.-Ancient Models recommended.-Houses.-Colour- ing of Buildings.-Grounds and Plantations.-The Larch.-Planting.-Fur- DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR THE TOURIST. In preparing this Manual, it was the Author's principal wish to furnish a Guide or Companion for the Minds of Persons of taste, and feeling for Landscape, who might be inclined to explore the District of the Lakes with that degree of attention to which its beauty may fairly lay claim. For the more sure attainment, however, of this primary object, he will begin by undertaking the humble and tedious task of supplying the Tourist with directions how to approach the several scenes intheir best, or most convenient, order. But first, supposing the approach to be made from the south, and through Yorkshire, there are certain interesting spots which may be confidently recommended to his notice, if time can be spared before entering upon the Lake District; and the route may be changed in returning. Barnard Castle also, object, and the main Every one has heard There are three approaches to the Lakes through Yorkshire ; the least adviseable is the great north road by Catterick and Greta Bridge, and onwards to Penrith. The Traveller, however, taking this route, might halt at Greta Bridge, and be well recompenced if he can afford to give an hour or two to the banks of the Greta, and of the Tees, at Rokeby. about two miles up the Tees, is a striking North Road might be rejoined at Bowes. of the great Fall of the Tees above Middleham, interesting for its grandeur, as the avenue of rocks that leads to it, is to the geologist. But this place lies so far out of the way as scarcely to be within the compass of our notice. It might, however, be visited by a Traveller on foot, or on horseback, who could rejoin the main road upon Stanemoor. The second road leads through a more interesting tract of country, beginning at Ripon, from which place see Fountain's Abbey, and thence by Hackfall, and Masham, to Jervaux Abbey, and up the vale of Wensley; turning aside before Askrigg is reached, to see Aysgarth-force, upon the Ure; and again, near Hawes, to Hardraw Scar, of which, with its waterfall, Turner has a fine drawing. Thence over the fells to Sedbergh, and Kendal. The third approach from Yorkshire is through Leeds. Four miles beyond that town are the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, should that road to Skipton be chosen ; but the other by Otley may be made much more interesting by turning off at Addington to Bolton Bridge, for the sake of visiting the Abbey and grounds. It would be well, however, for a party previously to secure beds, if wanted, at the inn, as there is but one, and it is much resorted to in summer. The Traveller on foot, or horseback, would do well to follow the banks of the Wharf upwards, to Burnsall, and thence cross over the hills to Gordale-a noble scene, beautifully described in Gray's Tour, and with which no one can be disappointed. Thence to Malham, where there is a respectable village inn, and so on, by Malham Cove, to Settle. Travellers in carriages must go from Bolton Bridge to Skipton, where they rejoin the main road; and should they be inclined to visit Gordale, a tolerable road turns off beyond Skipton. Beyond Settle, under Giggleswick Scar, the road passes an ebbing and flowing well, worthy the notice of the Naturalist. Four miles to the right of Ingleton, is Weathercote Cave, a fine object, but whoever diverges for this, must return to Ingleton. Near Kirkby Lonsdale observe the view from the bridge over the Lune, and descend to the channel of the river, and by no means omit looking at the Vale of Lune from the Church-yard. The journey towards the Lake country through Lancashire, is, with the exception of the Vale of the Ribble, at Preston, uninteresting; till you come near Lancaster, and obtain a view of the fells and mountains of Lancashire and Westmorland; with Lancaster Castle, and the Tower of the Church seeming to make part of the Castle, in the foreground. They who wish to see the celebrated ruins of Furness Abbey, and are not afraid of crossing the Sands, may go from Lancaster to Ulverston; from which place take the direct road to Dalton; but by all means return through Urswick, for the sake of the view from the top of the hill, before descending into the grounds of Conishead Priory. From this quarter the Lakes would be advantageously approached by Coniston; thence to Hawkshead, and by the Ferry over Windermere, to Bowness: |