button to main menu   West's Guide to the Lakes, 1778/1821

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Page 215:-
or embattlements are demolished; it is of rough stone and cement, without any ornament or arms, round, inclosing a court of like form, and surrounded by a moat; nor could it ever have been larger than it is, for there are no traces of out-works. There is a good view of the town and river, with a fertile open valley, though which it winds.
After dinner I went along the Millthorp turnpike, four miles to see the falls, or force of the river Kent; came to Sizergh (pronounced Siser), and turned down a lane to the left. This seat of the Stricklands, an old catholic family, is an ancient hall house, with a very large tower, embattled; the rest of the buildings added to it are of a later date, but all is white and seen to advantage on a back ground of old trees; there is a small park also well wooded. Opposite to this, turning to the left, I soon came to the river; it works its way in a narrow and deep rocky channel, overhung with trees. The calmness and brightness of the evening, the roar of the waters, and the thumping of huge hammers at an iron forge not far distant, made it a singular walk; but as to the falls (for there are two) they are not four feet high. I went on down to the forge, and saw the demons at work by the light of their own fires; the iron is brought in pigs to Millthorp, by sea, from Scotland, &c. and is here beat into bars and plates. Two miles farther, at Levens, is the seat of Lord Suffolk, where he sometimes passes the summer; it was a favourite place of his late Countess; but this I did not see.
Oct. 10. I proceeded by Burton to Lancaster, twenty-two miles; very good country, well inclosed and wooded, with some common interspersed. Passed at the foot of Farlton-knot, a high fell. Four miles north of Lancaster, on a rising ground, called Bolton (pronounced Bouton) we had a full view of Cartmel sands, with here and there a passenger riding over them (it being low water) the points of Furness shooting far into the sea, and lofty mountains, partly covered with clouds,
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gazetteer links
button -- "Bolton" -- Bolton-le-SandsBolton-le-Sands
button -- "Burton" -- Burton-in-Kendal
button -- "Farlton Knot" -- Farleton Knott
button -- (forge, Levens)
button -- Kendal
button -- Kendal Castle
button -- Kent, River
button -- Levens Force
button -- Levens Hall
button -- Milnthorpe
button -- Lancaster to Kendal
button -- "Sizergh" -- Sizergh Castle

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