button to main menu   Ford's Description of the Lakes, 1839/1843

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Page 54:-
  floating island
their disposition, when viewed with any of the grander features about the lake, are deformities. Lord's Island, six acres in extent, once the residence of the unfortunate Radcliffes, is now entirely covered with wood: it is, along with Rampsholm, the property of W. Marshall, Esq. who purchased the Greenwich Hospital estates in this district. The Vicar's Island, in olden times pertaining to Fountain's Abbey, now belonging to General Peachy, is beautifully laid out in pleasure-grounds, and crowned with a neat mansion, nearly hid amidst the variety of trees, having a view to the south only. St. Herbert's Island, nearly in the middle of the lake, was the residence of the saint whose name it bears. In his life-time, he was an intimate with St. Cuthbert of Durham, and died, according to Bede, in 687. There is a small grotto near the remains of what are thought to be the hermit's cell. The island belongs to Sir Wilfrid Lawson, of Brayton Hall, Bart. There are some smaller islands, but not of such importance as to demand a separate description. Of the Floating Island, or rather rising and sinking Island, the account given by Mr. Otley is perhaps best and most plausible; as an object of interest, however, it is worth nothing to the tourist.
In riding round the lake, numberless are the views of beauty, magnificence, and sublimity, which will strike the traveller of taste and discernment. Leaving Keswick and proceeding southwards along the eastern side, you have the grandest side-screens
gazetteer links
button -- "Vicar's Island" -- Derwent Isle
button -- "Derwent Water" -- Derwent Water
button -- (floating island, Derwent Water)
button -- "Lord's Island" -- Lord's Island
button -- "Rampholm" -- Rampsholme Island
button -- "St Herbert's Island" -- St Herbert's Island
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