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

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Page 108:-
  Crosby
  Hadrian's Wall
  Kingwater

[east]erly direction by the military way leading to Brampton: this road runs parallel to the Roman Wall, which lies rather more to the north or left hand, along a higher ridge of land. The first village you pass through is Crosby, whose plain unpretending church stands by the way-side. Two miles further, at a cross-road, is a Roman Castrum, planted with fir-trees. Leaving the main road here, and passing down this lane, you will shortly open upon the circular, rural, and well-cultivated vale, of which Irthington and its church form pretty features. Round sandy knowes jut into the plain, watered by Irthing and Kirkcambeck streams, and the surrounding banks are planted with wood. The nave of the church, which has been originally larger, is separated from the chancel by a noble Norman aisle, sadly disfigured, however, by being wretchedly painted in imitation of blue marble. In this church-yard lies buried Richard Bowman, who lived to be one hundred and eighteen years old, retaining the use of his faculties to the last. Hence after crossing the water of Kirkcambeck, the tourist will pass in front of the elegant and modern residence of Walton House, belonging to William Ponsonby Johnson, Esq. built on the side of the Roman Casteads (sic). Several Roman remains dug up at this station are preserved here. A little further stands the village of Walton, on the line of the wall, as its name denominates. From hence the road descends to Kingwater, over which there is a long wooden bridge; this water rises in a dreary waste; its
gazetteer links
button -- "Walton House" -- Castlesteads
button -- "Kingwater" -- King Water
button -- Brampton to Carlisle
button -- "Roman Casteads" -- (roman fort, Castlesteads)
button -- St Kentigern's Church
button -- "Walton" -- Walton
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