AN

ITINERARY OF THE LAKES,

CONTAINING

A CORRECT DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWNS, VILLAGES, SEATS, AND ALL OTHER OBJECTS WORTHY OF NOTICE

TO THE TOURIST.

I. LANCASTER TO KENDAL, BY MILNTHORPE.-21м.

LANCASTER is an ancient town, and the capital of the county palatine of Lancaster, beautifully situated on a hill above the river Lune, which falls into Morecambe Bay, at the distance of seven miles. On the summit of the hill is the castle, an imposing structure, built by Roger de Poicton, in the 11th or 12th century, and enlarged by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in the 14th. The assizes are held in the castle, and part of it is also used as a county prison. The principal public buildings, in and near the town, are the town-hall, in the market-place, the custom-house, the assembly-room, the theatre, and the county lunatic asylum, which is capable of accommodating 300 patients, is perfectly secure, and conducted on an excellent plan. The trade of Lancaster is very considerable, not only at Glasson Dock, where the larger ships

generally unload, but also at the canal, which is one of very great extent, and connected with many of the principal towns in the manufacturing districts. Fairs for the sale of cheese are held here twice a-year, at which immense quantities are sold. Lancaster is incorporated under a mayor, aldermen, &c., and sends two Members to Parliament. Population, 12,613; market-days, Wednesday and Saturday; inns, King's Arms and Royal Oak.

Bolton le Sands. In the neighbourhood of this village, the mountains of Westmorland and Cumberland combine very beautifully with Morecambe Bay. Carnforth. Two miles hence is the remarkable cave, called Dunald Millhole, into which a brook descends, and runs under ground, until it breaks forth again at this village.

Beetham is a neat village in the secluded vale of the Belo, on the new road from Lancaster to Ulverstone. The Hall, now a farm-house, was a large fortified mansion, standing within an area, enclosed by a wall pierced with loop-holes. The ruins of Hilslack and Arnside towns are not very distant; they seem to have been erected to guard the bay of Morecambe.

MILNTHORPE, a small but well-built market-town, is situated on the north side of the Belo, and is the only sea-port in Westmorland enjoying a share of the coast trade to Liverpool, Glasgow, and the intermediate ports. It is in the parish of Heversham. An elegant and beautiful chapel, in the Lancet style, has lately been built and consecrated for the use of the inhabitants. Population, (with Heversham,) 1509; market-day, Friday; inn, Cross-Keys. Near Milnthorpe, on the left, is Dallam Tower, the residence of Colonel Wilson.

Heversham is a neat small village, having a grammar-school, at which Bishop Watson received his early education under the immediate superintendence of his father, and a noble church, of which there is a very striking view in passing. Near this are three pleasant villas-Plumptree Bank, Wilson, Esq.; Plumptree Hall, — Pedder, Esq.; and Deepthwaite, Bindloss, Esq.

Levens-Bridge spans the Kent. The roads to Bowness and Ulverstone, through the romantic vale of Witherslack, turn off here to the left. A beautiful foot-path through Levens-Park, leads along the wooded banks of the Kent to Kendal, 51⁄2 miles. Levens-Park, the seat of the Hon. Fulke G. Howard, is the admiration of every one.

Sizergh Hall, on the left.-If the tourist has any penchant for fine old carved wainscottings, &c., and rooms exhibiting the massive and splendid style of ancient days, he should by all means turn aside to this remnant of feudal strength.

KENDAL is a flourishing town, being the largest in Westmorland, and is placed in a very agreeable valley, enlivened by the meanderings of the Kent. A full description of it will be found at page 15.

II. LANCASTER TO KENDAL, BY KIRKBY-LONSDALE.—

Caton. Between this village and Lancaster

there is a grand view, from a field by the side of

the road, of the fertile vale of the Lune, with the Yorkshire mountains towering high over it.

Claughton. The ancient hall is now, as is commonly the case with these ancient relics of bye-gone days, occupied by a farmer.

Hornby. On the right is Hornby Castle, the property and possession of the estates attached to which, have latterly been a source of lucrative emolument to the gentlemen of the long robe.

Kirkby-Lonsdale.-A small market-town, agreeably placed on the west bank of the Lune, lying near the verge of Lancashire, and within a few miles of Yorkshire. The churchyard is celebrated for the fine views which it commands of the valley. The bridge over the Lune is an admirable and remarkable structure, narrow, however, and better suited to the times in which its three ribbed arches were first thrown across the angry and chafing stream below. The mills are singularly situated, and are used for different purposes. Although the town has not been much increased, it is still in importance the third town in Westmorland. Population, 1686; market-day, Thursday; inns, Rose and Crown, and The Dragon. KENDAL. (See page 15.)

Hest Bank.-A bathing-place on the edge of Morecambe Bay.

Lancaster Sands.-From Hest Bank to Cartmel the Sands are about eleven miles in breadth, and guides are stationed on them to preserve travellers from devouring quicksands, deep channels, and the flowing tide, which, twice a-day, covers the whole sandy plain many feet deep in water. The Sands can only be crossed when the tide is out, and should never be attempted without the guides. The views here are very fine, embracing the whole coast of the bay of Morecambe, Peel Castle at its entrance, the crags of Warton and Arnside on the right, Ingleborough and its buttresses to the east, and in front, the Westmorland and Cumberland mountains.

Allithwaite is a village in the parish of Cartmel. CARTMEL is a small market-town, having an ancient and handsome church. Three miles hence is a medicinal spring, called Holy Well, much frequented. Population, 347. Not far from this town is Holker Hall, the seat of the Burlingtons. Flookboro' was anciently a market-town, by charter of Edward I.

Leven Sands are fordable at low water, and are about three miles in breadth. Splendid views are obtained in crossing them, as they are bounded by the woods of Holker Hall and Conishead Priory, and closed in by a nucleus of mountains, of which the Man Mountain is the most conspicuous.

ULVERSTONE is the capital of Furness, and a flourishing market-town and port. A new church has lately been erected. The old church, dedicated to St. Mary, was enlarged in 1804, and is now one of the handsomest churches in Lancashire. There is a coach daily to and from Lancaster. Population, 4876; inns, Sun and Braddyll Arms.