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Grotto, Rydal
site name:-   Low Fall
site name:-   Rydal Hall
locality:-   Rydal
civil parish:-   Lakes (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   summer house
locality type:-   grotto
coordinates:-   NY36640634 (approx) 
1Km square:-   NY3606
10Km square:-   NY30

photograph
BPU20.jpg  From the Grot.
(taken 31.10.2008)  courtesy of Rydal Hall
photograph
BPU21.jpg  From the Grot.
(taken 31.10.2008)  courtesy of Rydal Hall
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 WS21P078, button  goto source
Page 78:-  "... At Rydal-hall are two cascades worthy of notice. ..."
"The other cascade is a smaller fall of water, seen through the window of the summer-house, in Sir Michael's orchard [1]. The first who brought this sweet scene to light, is the elegant and learned editor of Mr. Gray's letters. And as no one described these views"
"[1] No.13, of the views of the lakes, by Mr. Farrington."
image WS21P212, button  goto source
Addendum; Mr Gray's Journal, 1769 
Page 212:-  "By not staying a little at Ambleside, Mr. Gray lost the sight of two magnificent cascades: [Stockghyll Force and High Fall, Rydal] ... But his greatest loss was in not seeing a small water-fall, visible only through the window of a ruined summer-house in Sir Michael's orchard. ..."
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
placename:-  Lower Fall
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 FD01P040, button  goto source
Page 40:-  "..."
"... The Rydal Waterfalls are shown by a domestic [of Rydal Hall]; the stranger is introduced into a summer-house, from which he suddenly beholds the Lower Fall, forming an enchanting garden-scene. ..."
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Grotto, The
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Lower Fall, Rydal, Westmorland, engraved by M Jackson, published late 19th century?
image  click to enlarge
PR0337.jpg
On page 80 of The Land We Live In. Seen through a window of The Grot. 
printed at lower right:-  "JACKSON. SC."
printed at bottom:-  "4.- THE LOWER FALL, RYDAL."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.337
Image © see bottom of page

photograph
BPU23.jpg  Sir Daniel Fleming's 'Grot' built to view the fall, 1668-69; now restored.
(taken 31.10.2008)  courtesy of Rydal Hall

photograph
BPU22.jpg  Sketch about 1850; showing the original panelling done by Sir Daniel Fleming, 1660s?
 
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