button to main menu  Clarke's Survey of the Lakes, 1787

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Page 25:-
  Pooley Bridge
‡ Nothing remarkable now offers itself till we come to Ullswater foot, when the road turns to the left, and brings us to the little village of Powley, or, as it is pronounced Poolah. As the beauties of the Lake can no otherwise be seen to perfection, we must here embark for that delightful expedition: this we may do either in one of the boats kept by Edward Richardson, at the sign of the Sun, or in that with which the Earl of Surrey politely gives leave to his keeper to accommodate any gentleman who desires it. Richardson's boats are neat and in good repair, but his Lordship's is truly worthy its noble owner. It is adapted for eight rowers, (for whom there are likewise caps and shirts,) and mounts twelve brass swivel guns, for the purpose of trying the echoes: the pay of the rowers here is 2s. a day for each man, and they are always provided with ammunition for the guns.
As there is little or no convenience for dining at Powley, I would advise those who visit Ulswater to take some refreshment with them; but they may be supplied with liquors at Powley, wine excepted. It will also much enhance the pleasure, if they previously send notice to the fishermen at How-Town, or Water-Millock, to prepare their boats and nets; so that at their return, which will be about five hours, they may see the manner of taking the different kinds of fish. The price of these fishermen is three draughts for five shillings, and the fish they take is the property of their employers. Those who are fond of angling will do well to take their tackle with them, as perhaps they can no where meet with better sport. I one day caught, in this manner, between Powley and the small island, twenty-nine trouts.
  Dunmallard Hill
The first striking object that presents, after embarking upon the Lake, is Dunmallard, a beautiful hill, covered with wood, through which three avenues afford an ascent to the top. It is supposed to take its name from the Down of Mallards, formerly very plentiful here, or rather Dun-mail, King of Cumberland.
  monastery
Upon the top of Dunmallard was a Monastery of Benedictines *; and at place called Maiden Castle, behind the higher end of Sowlby Fell, was a convent of Nuns of the same order, the ruins of both of which may at this day be traced. These two houses had a parcel of land allotted to them in common, part of it lying in the manor of Dacre, and part in that of Water-Millock, but all within the parish of Dacre: the boundary begun at Dacre-Beck-foot, where it falls into the Emont, then followed Dacre-Beck till it meets Greeves-Beck; this it followed to a place called Red-Mire; from thence to Banks-Well; thence it followed the course of the water to Dob-Beck, and followed that to Ulswater; it then followed the course of Ulswater and Emont to Dacre-Beck foot.
☛ Dob-Beck, where it falls into Ulswater, is called Castlehow-Beck. (Vide plate.)
  Carthanic
Benethead-Banks, and Benethead-Villages, have undoubtedly taken their names from this monastery, as lying at the upper end of its territories. Here are likewise some remains of an house built by a few straggling Carthusians, which bears to this day the name of Carthanic.
  Watermillock
The next remarkable place is the village of Water-Millock, the seat and manor of John Robinson, Esq; [seat of John Robinson, Esq.] it is held under the Earl of Surrey as parcel of the barony of Greystock, and is one of the most beautiful situations our Island affords. It is compleatly sheltered from every inclement blast by mountains and groves, and every window in the house presents you with a beautiful landscape, each varied from another both in
objects
‡ Wherever there is no particular direction concerning roads, the reader has only to inspect the Plans, which will exhibit them to him plainer than verbal directions can possibly do.
* This must certainly be the monastery mentioned by Bede and William of Malmesbury, to have been at Dacre, as it is the only one that parish, and is distant no more than a mile and an half.
erratum from p.194
for seat and manor of John Robinson, Esq; read seat of John Robinson, Esq.
gazetteer links
button -- "Benethead Banks" -- Bennethead Banks
button -- "Benethead Villages" -- Bennethead
button -- Carthanet
button -- "Castlehow Beck" -- Castlehow Beck
button -- "Dunmallard" -- Dunmallard Hill
button -- (earthwork, Dunmallard Hill)
button -- "How Town" -- Howtown
button -- Maiden Castle
button -- "Powley" -- Pooley Bridge
button -- "Sun" -- Sun, The
button -- "Ulswater" -- Ullswater
button -- "Water Millock" -- Watermillock
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