button to main menu  Old Cumbria Gazetteer
Honister Crag, Buttermere
Honister Crag
locality:-   Seatoller Fell
civil parish:-   Buttermere (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   rocks
coordinates:-   NY21131421 (etc) 
1Km square:-   NY2114
10Km square:-   NY21

photograph
BTO73.jpg  From Rosthwaite Fell.
(taken 22.9.2010)  
photograph
BZG43.jpg (taken 6.9.2013)  
evidence:-   old map:- Donald 1774 (Cmd) 
placename:-  Honistar Crag
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, 3x2 sheets, The County of Cumberland, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by Thomas Donald, engraved and published by Joseph Hodskinson, 29 Arundel Street, Strand, London, 1774.
image
D4NY21SW.jpg
"Honistar Crag"
hill hachuring; a hill or mountain 
item:-  Carlisle Library : Map 2
Image © Carlisle Library
evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821.
image WS21P293, button  goto source
Account of Ennerdale, late 18th century 
Page 293:-  "..."
"... As he approaches the vale of Ennerdale, ... he will find the rugged scenery of the country gradually refining; and as he winds round the foot of the Pillar, he will discover a vista, which cannot fail to strike the most indifferent observer with astonishment and pleasure."
"The mountains which serve to heighten this scene, and enhance its surprise, are Sty-head, Honister-crag, Wastdale, the Pillar, and Red-pike. ..."
evidence:-   old map:- West 1784 map
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, A Map of the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, engraved by Paas, 53 Holborn, London, about 1784.
image
Ws02NY11.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : A1221.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Green 1810
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Set of prints, soft ground etchings, Sixty Studies from Nature, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, drawn 1808-10, published 1810.
image GN14p068, button  goto source
page 68:-  "... Honister Crag, at the Borrowdale end of the valley [Buttermere], is a steep high rock, from the side of which is got an abundance of slate. ..."
evidence:-   old print:- Green 1814 (plate 38) 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, tinted soft ground etching, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1814.
image  click to enlarge
GN1038.jpg
Plate 38 in Sixty Small Prints. 
printed at top right:-  "38"
printed at bottom:-  "HONISTER CRAG. / Published at Ambleside Augst. 1, 1814, by Wm. Green."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6653.38
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Green 1814 (plate 38) 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured soft ground etching, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1814.
image  click to enlarge
GN0938.jpg
Plate 38 in Sixty Small Prints. 
printed at top right:-  "38"
printed at bottom:-  "HONISTER CRAG. / Published at Ambleside Augst. 1, 1814, by Wm. Green."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6656.38
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Green 1814
placename:-  Honister Crag
item:-  slate
source data:-   Set of prints, soft ground etchings, Sixty Small Prints, with text, A Description of a Series of Sixty Small Prints, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1814.
image GN09p20, button  goto source
page 20:-  "..."
"HONISTER CRAG."
"..."
"This view [plate 38] of Honister Crag is from the stream which passes from the head of Gatesgarthdale to Buttermere, and below the road a little after its having left the summit of the pass. Honister Crag, almost perpendicular, seems, from the bottom of the valley, to overhang its base, and is a precipice of extraordinary magnificence: but from this rugged front is derived a slate as smooth and valuable as any other in the island."
evidence:-   old print with text:- Farington 1816
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving and descriptive text, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by Samuel Middiman, published by T Cadell and W Davies, Strand, London, 1815.
image  click to enlarge
FA0412.jpg
printed, bottom left, right, centre  "Drawn by J. Farington R.A. / Engraved by S. Middiman. / Honister Crag. / London Published Septr. 15, 1815, by T. Cadell &W. Davies, Strand."
Descriptive text:-  "HONISTER CRAG, which has been mentioned in the preceding description, forms the termination of those rugged mountains which circumscribe Crummock Water and Buttermere. It is reputed to be the steepest rock in the whole country, and of the finest form; and is said to resemble the Table Mountains in the East Indies, each of which has a fortress on its summit. The top of this Crag commands a most beautiful view of the Lakes below, and the heaps of mountains all around. Here is a slate quarry, which fails not to attract the attention of tourists."
"..."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6666.12
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Otley 1818
placename:-  Honister
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, The District of the Lakes, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Jonathan Otley, 1818, engraved by J and G Menzies, Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, et al, 1833.
image
OT02NY11.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Otley 1823 (4th edn 1830) 
placename:-  Honister
source data:-   Print, engraving, outline view, Some of the Western Mountains as seen from Helvellyn, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland et al, 1830.
image  click to enlarge
O75E02.jpg
p.57 in A Concise Description of the English Lakes, by Jonathan Otley, 4th edition, 1830.  "Some of the Western Mountains: / as seen from Helvellyn."
"Wetherlam / Old Man - Coniston Fell / Carrs, or Scars / Gray Friar / Black Combe / Crinkle Crags / Bowfell / Scawfell Pike / Great-end Crag / Glaramara / Great Gable / Kirkfell / Pillar Fell / Honister and High Crag / High Stile / Dalehead and Red Pike / Robinson / Blake Fell / Witeless Pike / Grasmoor / Ill Crags / Grisedale Pike"
item:-  Armitt Library : A1175.3
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Otley 1823 (8th edn 1849) 
placename:-  Honister
source data:-   Engraving, outline view of mountains, A Group of Mountains seen from Helvellyn, looking towards the South West, drawn by T Binns, engraved by O Jewitt, opposite p.50 of A Descriptive Guide of the English Lakes, by Jonathan Otley, 8th edition, 1849.
image  click to enlarge
O80E17.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : A1180.18
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
placename:-  Honister
source data:-   Print, woodcut outline view, A Group of Mountains, seen from Helvellyn, by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, 1830.
image  click to enlarge
OT2E09.jpg
Printed on p.63 of A Concise Description of the English Lakes, by Jonathan Otley, 5th edition, 1834.  "A GROUP OF MOUNTAINS, Seen from Helvellyn, looking to the South-West."
"Holm Fell / Old Man - Coniston Fell / Wetherlam / Carrs, or Scars / Gray Friar / Black Combe / Harrison Stickle / Crinkle Crags / Bowfell / Hanging Knot / Scawfell Pike / Hindside / Great-end Crag / Glaramara / Great Gable / Green Gable / Kirkfell / Pillar Fell / Honister, and High Crag / High Stile / Dalehead, and Red Pike / Hindscarth, and Robinson / Blake Fell / Witeless Pike / Grasmoor / Ill Crags / Causey Pike / Grisedale Pike"
item:-  JandMN : 48.10
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
placename:-  Honister
item:-  geology
source data:-   Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.
image OT01P125, button  goto source
"... In passing the hause, (which rises 800 feet above the level of Derwent Lake,) Honister Crag in majestic grandeur is presented to the view; ..."
image OT01P126, button  goto source
Page 126:-  "... [Gatescarth dale] is a narrow valley strewed with large blocks of stone, fallen from the rocks above; and solemnly shaded by the lofty Honister, which towers to the height of 1700 feet above the valley at its foot. ..."
"..."
image OT01P156, button  goto source
Page 156:-  "... An amygdaloid rock, containing nodules of calcareous spar, and sometimes of agate, opal or calcedony, is met with in several places; as near Honister Crag ..."
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
placename:-  Honistar Crag
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P088, button  goto source
Page 88:-  "... The top of this road, which is not passable for carriages, is eight hundred and eighty feet above the Derwent."
"On the right is Yew Crag Quarry: on the left that stupendous precipice, Honistar Crag, rises sheer out of the valley to the height of one thousand six hundred feet, on which are extensive blue-slate quarries. ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
placename:-  Honister
source data:-   Map of the English Lakes, in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1850s-60s.
image
GAR2NY21.jpg
"Honister"
hill hachuring 
item:-  JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Martineau 1855
source data:-   Print, engraving, outline view, Mountains seen from Lanthwaite Wood Crummock Water, drawn by L Aspland, engraved by W Banks, Edinburgh, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855.
image  click to enlarge
MNU113.jpg
Opposite p.84 in A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau. 
The view is captioned, numbers referring to mountains in the image:-  "1 Whiteless Pike, 2 Honister Crag, 3 Green Gable, 4 Great End, 5 Great Gable / Rannerdale Knott (beneath), 6 Scawfell Pike, 7 Kirkfell / Scarf Gap (below), 8 High Crag, 9 High Stile, 10 Bleaberry Crag, 11 Red Pike, 12 Melbreak."
"MOUNTAINS SEEN FROM LANTHWAITE WOOD CRUMMOCK WATER."
"L Aspland Delt. / W Banks Sc Edinr."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1159.13
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Martineau 1855
source data:-   Print, engraving, Honister Crag from the Quarry Road to Yew Crag, drawn by L Aspland, engraved by W Banks, Edinburgh, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855.
image  click to enlarge
MNU117.jpg
Opposite p.133 in A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau.  "L Aspland Delt. / W Banks Sc Edinr. / HONISTER CRAG / from the Quarry Road to Yew Crag."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1159.17
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Martineau 1855
item:-  altitude, Honister Crag
source data:-   Guide book, A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855; published 1855-76.
image MNU1P179, button  goto source
Page 179:-  "A TABLE OF THE HEIGHTS OF MOUNTAINS IN THE COUNTIES OF CUMBERLAND, WESTMORLAND, AND LANCASHIRE."
"No. : Names of Mountains. : Counties. : Height in Feet above the Sea Level."
"23 : Honister Crag : Cumberland : 1700"
evidence:-   old print:- Walton 1876
placename:-  Honister Crag
item:-  snow
source data:-   Print, colour lithograph, Honister Crag, Winter, Buttermere, Cumberland, from a painting by Elijah Walton, published by W M Thompson, 20 Cockspur Street, Pall Mall, and Burlington Gallery, Piccadilly, London, 1876.
image  click to enlarge
WLT304.jpg
Plate 4 in English Lake Scenery, with a description by T G Bonney. 
item:-  JandMN : 469.4
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Nelson 1853 (edn 1880s) 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, chromolithograph, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, published by Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, 1880s?
image  click to enlarge
NS0333.jpg
At the end of Views of the English Lakes, and Tourists Guide to the English Lakes. 
printed at bottom:-  "HONISTER CRAG"
item:-  JandMN : 474.34
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  scree
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, Honister Pass and Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0875.jpg
internegative at lower left:-  "H. Bell"
stamped at reverse:-  "HERBERT BELL / Photographer / AMBLESIDE"
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS546
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, sepia, Buttermere lake and Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0611.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS271
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  scree
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0463.jpg
internegative at lower right:-  "H. Bell"
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS122
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Philip/Wilson 1890s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Honister Crag and Pass, published by George Philip and Son, London, Philip, Son and Nephew, Liverpool, Lancashire, and Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, about 1895.
image  click to enlarge
PW1E29.jpg
"HONISTER CRAG AND PASS."
item:-  JandMN : 58.30
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured etching, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, by WMB, 1986.
image  click to enlarge
PR0515.jpg
printed at bottom left, right:-  "Honister Crag 4/20 / WMB. '86"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.464
Image © Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere
evidence:-   old postcard:- 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Postcard, colour photogravure, Honister Pass and Crag, the New Road, by G P Abrahams, Keswick, Cumberland, purchased about 1954.
image  click to enlarge
PH0059.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 341
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
source data:-   Print, colour halftone, Honister Pass, Dawn, painted by E W Haslehust, published early 20th century.
image  click to enlarge
PR0404.jpg
painted at lower left:-  "E. W. HASLEHUST."
printed at bottom centre:-  "HONISTER PASS - DAWN / (See page 45)"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.397
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Honister Crag and Pass, Cumberland, drawn by W H J Bool, engraved by Whymper, published 1920s-30s?
image  click to enlarge
PR0351.jpg
On page 232 of Picturesque Europe, The Lake Country. Thunder and lightning, and a shepherd sitting out the storm. 
printed at lower left, right:-  "WHJBool / WHYMPER Sc"
printed at bottom:-  "HONISTER CRAG AND PASS."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.351
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Crummock Water, Buttermere, and Honister Crag, Cumberland, published 1900s?
image  click to enlarge
PR0271.jpg
printed at bottom:-  "5.- CRUMMOCK WATER, BUTTERMERE, AND HONISTER CRAG."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.271
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, chromolithograph, Honister Crag, Cumberland, published by T Nelson and Sons, London, 1900s?
image  click to enlarge
PR0169.jpg
From a set of prints, The Scenery of the English Lakes 
printed at lower right:-  "T. NELSON &SONS"
printed at bottom left:-  "HONISTER CRAG"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.169
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Bogg 1898
source data:-   Print, engraving, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Cumberland, by Owen Bowen, published by Edmund Bogg, 3 Woodhouse Lane, and James Miles, Guildford Street, Leeds, Yorkshire, 1898.
image  click to enlarge
BGG177.jpg
Included on p.199 of Lakeland and Ribblesdale, by Edmund Bogg. 
item:-  JandMN : 231.77
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Jenkinson 1875
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, lithograph, outline view, Panoramic Sketches from Helvellyn, Westmorland, by Edwin A Pettitt, London, published by Edward Stanford, 55 Charing Cross, London, 1875.
image  click to enlarge
Jk01E1.jpg
"... Honister Crag ..."
item:-  JandMN : 28.5
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Prior 1865
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Buttermere, Honister Crag, Scarth Gap, and Haystacks, Cumberland, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Simpkin, Marshall and Co, London, 1865.
image  click to enlarge
PI0103.jpg
Included on page 16 of the guide book, Ascents and Passes in the Lake District of England, by Herman Prior. 
printed at bottom:-  "BUTTER-MERE, HONISTER CRAG, SCARTH GAP, AND HAYSTACKS."
item:-  JandMN : 235.5
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Crummock Water, Buttermere, and Honister Crag, Cumberland, by E Dalziel, published late 19th century?
image  click to enlarge
PR0338.jpg
On a page of The Land We Live In. 
printed at lower left:-  "E. DALZIEL."
printed at bottom:-  "5.- CRUMMOCK WATER, BUTTERMERE, AND HONISTER CRAG."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.338
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Pyne 1853
source data:-   Drawn by James Barker Pyne, 1848-1853, lithographed by T Picken, 1859.
image  click to enlarge
PY17.jpg
"Buttermere"
item:-  JandMN : 97.16
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, by ?B Foster, engraved by E Evans, 1850s-60s?
image  click to enlarge
PR0485.jpg
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "[B] Foster / E. EVANS SC. / HONISTER CRAG"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.434
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Black 1856
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, lithograph, Outline Views, Buttermere - Mountains as seen from the Knots near the Hotel at Buttermere, and Mountains as seen at the Seat in Lanthwaite Wood, Scale Hill, by J Flintoft, Keswick, Cumberland, engraved by R Mason, Edinburgh, Lothian, about 1900.
image  click to enlarge
BC08E5.jpg
"... 2 Honister Crag ... 2 Honister Crag ..."
item:-  JandMN : 37.19
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Black 1841 (3rd edn 1846) 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, engraving, outline view, Mountains as seen from The Knots near the Victoria at Buttermere, and Mountains as seen at the Seat in Lanthwaite Wood, Scale Hill, by J Flintoft, Keswick, Cumberland, engraved by R Mason, Edinburgh, Lothian, about 1846.
image  click to enlarge
BC02E7.jpg
"... 2 Honister Crag ... 2 Honister Crag ..."
item:-  JandMN : 32.11
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Tattersall 1836
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, engraving, Honister Crag, Buttermere, Cumberland, drawn by George Tattersall, engraved by W F Topham, published by Sherwood and Co, Paternoster Row, London, about 1836.
image  click to enlarge
TAT126.jpg
The print is captioned with mountain names and acts as an outline view. 
Tipped in opposite p.73 of The Lakes of England, by George Tattersall. 
printed at bottom:-  "HONISTER CRAG."
printed at bottom left to right:-  "Honister Crag. / The Haycocks. / High Style. / Red Pike. / Hindscarth."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1204.27
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Rose 1832-35
source data:-   Print, engraving, Honister Crag, Cumberland, by Thomas Allom, engraved by W Floyd, 1833.
image  click to enlarge
R214.jpg
"Honister Crag, Cumberland"
Historical scene of the battle of local farmers against the younger Groeme, scottish border raiders. 
item:-  JandMN : 96.9
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Farington 1816 (plate 27) 
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Honister Crag, drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by Samuel Middiman, published by T Cadell and W Davies, Strand, London, 1815.
image  click to enlarge
PR0430.jpg
Plate 27 in The Lakes of Lancashire, Westmorland, and Cumberland. 
printed at bottom, left, right, centre:-  "Drawn by J. Farington R.A. / Engraved by S. Middiman. / Honister Crag. / London Published Septr. 15, 1815, by T. Cadell &W. Davies, Strand."
item:-  JandMN : 171
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Gresham Publishing 1900s
placename:-  Honister Crag
source data:-   Print, colour halftone, Head of Buttermere and Honister Crag, Cumberland, by Ernest W Haslehurst, published by The Gresham Publishing Co, 66 Chandos Street, London, 1900s?
image  click to enlarge
PR1569.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.48 of The English Lakes section of a volume of Our Beautiful Homeland. 
printed at bottom:-  "HEAD OF BUTTERMERE AND HONISTER CRAG"
item:-  JandMN : 381.11
Image © see bottom of page
button to lakes menu  Lakes Guides menu.