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From Hawkshead proceed down the western side of the Water,
and pass Esthwaite Hall: the road here divides; that on the
right leads to Ulverstone, and the left either to the Ferry
House or round Esthwaite Water.
Ascend the Ulverstone road about two hundred yards, to the
common's boundary on the left, and from the trees near that
boundary see the promontory before spoken of, and Esthwaite
Hall between it and the eye. Each side the lake, as seen
from this place, is environed with meadow and pasture ground
pleasantly wooded; the lands at the head of the lake are of
the same character, only diversified by villages peeping
from amongst groves of trees: the scene is closed, though at
a great distance, by the lofty mountains of Grasmere, Rydal,
and Ambleside.
No.6.
HEAD OF WINDERMERE, FROM LOW WOOD.
Ambleside is not a mile north of the head of Windermere.
Ambleside is 16 miles from Keswick, 40 from Whitehaven, 10
from Ulls Water, 25 from Penrith, 14 from Kendal, 6 from
Bowness, 5 from Hawkshead, 8 from Coniston Waterhead, and 21
miles from Ulverstone.
Windermere is the largest lake in England, being twelve
miles long; about the head it is considerably more than a
mile in breadth, and between the head and the islands, which
are about half way down the Water, it is seldom less than a
mile; but it narrows gradually from the islands to Newby
Bridge, which lies at the foot of the lake.
The lands on the immediate borders of Windermere are
fertile and richly decorated with a profusion of fine trees,
many of which are of stately growth, and so disposed, either
by chance or intention, as to produce not only the grandest
assemblages of massy woods, but sprinklings in every
imaginable and tasteful variety.
Some of the highest mountains in Cumberland, Westmorland,
and Lancashire, are seen from Windermere, but at such a
distance from it, as to be objects rather of beauty than
sublimity. The mountains of Coniston, Langdale,
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