Old Cumbria Gazetteer - Greta, River

Greta, River

runs into:-

Derwent, River

civil parish:-

Keswick (formerly Cumberland)

civil parish:-

St John's Castlerigg and Wythburn (formerly Cumberland)

civil parish:-

Underskiddaw (formerly Cumberland)

civil parish:-

Threlkeld (formerly Cumberland)

county:-

Cumbria

locality type:-

river

locality type:-

boundary

locality type:-

parish boundary

1Km square:-

NY2924

10Km square:-

NY22

BNE75.jpg At the railway bridge.
The join of the Glenderaterra and Glenderamackin rivers.
(taken 17.2.2007)
photograph

CDX76.jpg Depth gauges near Greta Bridge,
(taken 16.9.2015)

evidence:-

old map:- OS County Series (Cmd 64 3)
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.
OS County Series (Cmd 64 4)

evidence:-

old map:- Saxton 1579

source data:-

Map, hand coloured engraving, Westmorlandiae et Cumberlandiae Comitatus ie Westmorland and Cumberland, scale about 5 miles to 1 inch, by Christopher Saxton, London, engraved by Augustinus Ryther, 1576, published 1579-1645.

Sax9NY22.jpg
item:- private collection : 2
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Mercator 1595 (edn?)
placename:-

source data:-

Map, hand coloured engraving, Northumbria, Cumberlandia, et Dunelmensis Episcopatus, ie Northumberland, Cumberland and Durham etc, scale about 6.5 miles to 1 inch, by Gerard Mercator, Duisberg, Germany, about 1595.

MER8CumF.jpg
""
double line with stream lines; river, running into the Derwent
item:- JandMN : 169
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Speed 1611 (Cmd)

source data:-

Map, hand coloured engraving, Cumberland and the Ancient Citie Carlile Described, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by John Speed, 1610, published by J Sudbury and George Humble, Popes Head Alley, London, 1611-12.

SP11NY22.jpg
double line with stream lines, runs into the Derwent
item:- private collection : 16
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Jansson 1646

source data:-

Map, hand coloured engraving, Cumbria and Westmoria, ie Cumberland and Westmorland, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Jansson, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1646.

JAN3NY22.jpg
Double wiggly line, tapering to single.
item:- JandMN : 88
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Ogilby 1675 (plate 96)
placename:- Thurlmire Fluvius

source data:-

Road strip map, hand coloured engraving, the Road from Kendal to Cockermouth, and the Road from Egremond to Carlisle, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by John Ogilby, London, 1675.

OG96m025.jpg
In mile 29, Cumberland. "Thurlmire fluv:"
alongside the right of the road then crossing under:- "a Wood bridg"
no bridge drawn; tributary to the River Derwent.
item:- JandMN : 22
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Sanson 1679

source data:-

Map, hand coloured engraving, Ancien Royaume de Northumberland aujourdhuy Provinces de Nort, ie the Ancient Kingdom of Northumberland or the Northern Provinces, scale about 9.5 miles to 1 inch, by Nicholas Sanson, Paris, France, 1679.

click to enlarge
SAN2Cm.jpg
tapering wiggly line; river
item:- Dove Cottage : 2007.38.15
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Seller 1694 (Cmd)

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, Cumberland, scale about 12 miles to 1 inch, by John Seller, 1694.

click to enlarge
SEL9.jpg
two lines cross a stream; bridge
item:- Dove Cottage : 2007.38.89
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Morden 1695 (Cmd)

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, Cumberland, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Morden, 1695, published by Abel Swale, the Unicorn, St Paul's Churchyard, Awnsham, and John Churchill, the Black Swan, Paternoster Row, London, 1695-1715.

MD12NY22.jpg
item:- JandMN : 90
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Bowen 1720 (plate 260)
placename:- Thurlemire Flu.

source data:-

Road strip map, uncoloured engraving, pl.260, The Road from Kendal to Cockermouth, scale about 2 miles to 1 inch, with sections in Westmorland and Cumberland, published by Emanuel Bowen, St Katherines, London, 1720.

B260m25.jpg
"a Wood Br. over Thurlemire Flu"
On far side of Keswick.
item:- private collection : 1.260
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Gents Mag 1751
placename:- Greata River

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Black Lead Mines in Cumberland, and area, scale about 2 miles to 1 inch, by George Smith, published in the Gentleman's Magazine, 1751.

GM1314.jpg
"Greata R."
tapering wiggly line; river
item:- JandMN : 114
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Bowen and Kitchin 1760

source data:-

Map, hand coloured engraving, A New Map of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland Divided into their Respective Wards, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin et al, published by T Bowles, Robert Sayer, and John Bowles, London, 1760.

BO18NY21.jpg
wiggly line, into the Derwent
item:- Armitt Library : 2008.14.10
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Donald 1774 (Cmd)
placename:- Greeta River

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.

D4NY22SE.jpg

D4NY32SW.jpg
"Greeta R."
single or double wiggly line; a river
item:- Carlisle Library : Map 2
Images © 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.

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Page 106:- "[from Latrigg] ... Below you, rolls the Greta, and, in its course, visits the town before it joins the Derwent, where it issues from the lake, and then their united streams are seen meandering through the vale till they meet the floods of Bassenthwaite, under the verdant skirts of Wythop brows."
"..."

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Page 108:- "..."
"Return to the gate [from Latrigg], and enter the inclosure. Proceed, as soon as you can, to the right, having the wall at some distance, till you arrive at the brink of a green precipice; there you will be entertained with the noise of the rapid Greta (roaring through a craggy channel) that, in a run of two miles, exhibits an uncommon appearance, forming twelve or more of the finest bends and serpentine curves that ever fancy pencilled. The point for viewing this uncommon scene, is directly above the bridge, which hangs gracefully over the river."
"..."

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Page 110:- "... [from the front of Mr. Wren's house] A river is seen on both sides of the vale, lengthening its course in meanders, till it meets Threlkeld-water, or Glenderamackin-beck, at New-bridge, where it takes the name of Greeta. This picture is improved at the brow of the hill, on the western side of the house. Here the Greeta is seen from the bridge, running under the hill where you stand, and on the right, coming forth in a fine deep-channelled stream, between steep wooded banks."

evidence:-

old map:- Crosthwaite 1783-94 (Der)

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, An Accurate Map of the Matchless Lake of Derwent, ie Derwent Water, scale about 3 inches to 1 mile, by Peter Crosthwaite, Keswick, Cumberland, 1783, version published 1800.

CT2NY22K.jpg

CT2NY22Q.jpg
"Greata R."
item:- Armitt Library : 1959.191.3
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- West 1784 map
placename:- Greeta River

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.

Ws02NY22.jpg
item:- Armitt Library : A1221.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old text:- Clarke 1787
placename:- Greeta, River
item:- fish, River Greta; salmon; bass bruid

source data:-

Guide book, A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, written and published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland, and in London etc, 1787; published 1787-93.

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Page 62:- "... descend the hill; the road winds along the banks of the river Greeta, which contains the waters of Trout-Beck, Glendower-Meckine, Wanthwaite-Beck, Glendoweratera and Naddle-Beck. This river (which is here a very considerable stream) has its bottom covered with very large stones, under which fish of various kinds take shelter; here they are secure from nets, and afford excellent diversion to the angler. Salmon follow the course of this river as far as Flaskeu, so that it is well stocked with smelts, brandlings, and salmon-trouts. There are also taken in this river large quantities of what they call here Bass-bruid, from their resemblance to the perch, or bass; this fish is seldom more than three inches in length, and sometimes caught in the quantity of two or three pecks by one single person."
"..."

evidence:-

old map:- Clarke 1787 map (Der)
placename:- Greeta, River

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of Derwentwater and its Environs, scale about 13 ins to 1 mile, by James Clarke, engraved by S J Neele, published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland and in London etc, 1787.

CL152523.jpg
running into the Derwent

CL152623.jpg
"RIVER GREETA"
river
item:- private collection : 169
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Clarke 1787 map (Penrith to Keswick)
placename:- Creta, River

source data:-

Map, A Map of the Roads, Waters &c between Penrith and Keswick, scale about 2 ins to 1 mile, by James Clarke, engraved by S J Neele, 352 Strand, published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland and in London etc, 1787.

click to enlarge
CL05.jpg
"RIVER CRETA"
item:- private collection : 10.5
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print:- Farington 1789

source data:-

Print, uncoloured engraving, North Entrance to Keswick, Cumberland, drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by W Byrne and T Medland, published by William Byrne, 79 Titchfield Street, London, 1787.

click to enlarge
FA0309.jpg
printed, top right "No.IX"
printed, bottom left, right, centre "Drawn by Josh. Farington R.A. / Engraved by W. Byrne &T. Medland. / NORTH ENTRANCE to KESWICK. / Published as the Act directs, 2d. April 1787, by W. Byrne, No.79, Titchfield Street, London."
item:- Armitt Library : A6668.9
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old drawing:- Green 1809 (plate 68)
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Drawing, pencil, Keswick from beside the River Greta, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, about 1809.

click to enlarge
PR1711.jpg
item:- Armitt Library : 2000.189
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print:- Green 1809
placename:- Greta

source data:-

Print, soft ground etching, Keswick from the Greta, Cumberland, by William Green, published by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, and Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, Paternoster Row, London, 1809.

click to enlarge
GN0368.jpg
Plate 68 in Seventy Eight Studies from Nature.
printed in introductory pages to set of prints:- "Number 68. The source of the Greta is Leathes Water, from which it runs through St. John's vale, by Threlkeld to Keswick, and joins the Derwent at Portinscale. The view of Keswick here given, is from the road to Penrith, near the Turnpike-gate; ..."
printed at bottom:- "KESWICK FROM THE GRETA. / Published Ambleside, Augst. 1st. 1809, by W. Green."
item:- Armitt Library : A6637.68
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print:- Green 1809
placename:- Greta, River
item:- weir (?)

source data:-

Print, soft ground etching, The River Greta near Keswick, Cumberland, by William Green, published by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, and Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, Paternoster Row, London, 1809.

click to enlarge
GN0369.jpg
Plate 69 in Seventy Eight Studies from Nature.
printed in introductory pages to set of prints:- "Number 69. The Weir, which causes a supply of water for the town's Corn Mill, may be observed in this and the preceeding print; and as this view is up the river, the station to take it from will consequently be nearer Keswick than that for the former one: the Mill is beyond the building in ruins."
printed at bottom:- "THE RIVER GRETA NEAR KESWICK. / Published Ambleside, Augst. 1st. 1809, by W. Green."
item:- Armitt Library : A6637.69
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

road book:- Cary 1798 (2nd edn 1802)
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Road book, itineraries, Cary's New Itinerary, by John Cary, 181 Strand, London, 2nd edn 1802.

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click to enlarge
C38317.jpg
page 317-318 "Cross the Greta River."
twice
item:- JandMN : 228.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

road book:- Cary 1798 (2nd edn 1802)
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Road book, itineraries, Cary's New Itinerary, by John Cary, 181 Strand, London, 2nd edn 1802.

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click to enlarge
C38733.jpg
page 733-734 "Cross the Greta River"
item:- JandMN : 228.2
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Laurie and Whittle 1806
placename:- Greata River

source data:-

Road map, Completion of the Roads to the Lakes, scale about 10 miles to 1 inch, by Nathaniel Coltman? 1806, published by Robert H Laurie, 53 Fleet Street, London, 1834.

click to enlarge
Lw18.jpg
"Greata R."
river
item:- private collection : 18.18
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Cooper 1808

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, Cumberland, scale about 10.5 miles to 1 inch, drawn and engraved by Cooper, published by R Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808.

click to enlarge
COP3.jpg
tapering wiggly line; river
item:- JandMN : 86
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print with text:- Farington 1816
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Print, uncoloured engraving and descriptive text, Saddleback and the River Rothay, corrected to the River Greta by the text, Cumberland, drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by W Woolnoth, published by T Cadell and W Davies, Strand, London, 1815.

click to enlarge
FA0405.jpg
printed, bottom left, right, centre "Drawn by J. Farington R.A. / Engraved by W. Woolnoth. / Saddleback and the River Rothay. / London Published Septr. 15, 1815, by T. Cadell &W. Davies, Strand."
Descriptive text:- "SADDLEBACK AND THE RIVER GRETA."
"... this mountain, at whose foot flows the little river Greta, which adds much to the picturesque effect of the scenery. ..."
item:- Armitt Library : A6666.5
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Otley 1818
placename:- Greta River

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.

OT02NY22.jpg
item:- JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834)

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.

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Page 40:- "..."
"The river issuing from Thirlmere, commonly called St. John's beck, ... the one from Mungrisdale by Threlkeld Glenderamakin; after their junction it takes the name of Greta, and receives the Glenderaterra from between Skiddaw and Saddleback; passing Keswick, it joins the Derwent, shortly after that river leaves the lake. In heavy rains the Greta sometimes rises so suddenly that it inverts the stream of the Derwent, so that the lake is for a short time literally filled from all quarters. ..."
"..."

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Page 149:- "That rock of granite which seems best entitled to the distinction of primitive, may be seen denudated in the bed of the river Caldew, near the north-east side of Skiddaw; and in a branch of the river Greta, between Skiddaw and Saddleback, about 1400 feet above the level of the sea. This granite is of a grey kind, composed of quartz, white felspar, and black mica. It is traversed in various directions by veins of quartz; in some of which, molybdena, apatite, tungsten, wolfram, and other minerals have been found."

evidence:-

descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843)
placename:- Greta

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.

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Page 59:- "..."
"THE GRETA."
"There is not a more interesting walk than up this river, which presents splendid views of Blencathra as you follow the stream up its course. Downwards there is an attractive picture, the cotton-mill being in front, whilst over a bend of the stream, flanked by woods, are seen the distant mountains of Newlands."

evidence:-

old map:- Ford 1839 map
placename:- Greta River

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, and by R Groombridge, 5 Paternoster Row, London, 3rd edn 1843.

FD02NY22.jpg
"Greta R."
item:- JandMN : 100.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
placename:- Greta, River

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.

GAR2NY32.jpg
"Greta R."
wiggly line, river
item:- JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old map:- Postlethwaite 1877 (3rd edn 1913)
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District Mining Field, Westmorland, Cumberland, Lancashire, scale about 5 miles to 1 inch, by John Postlethwaite, published by W H Moss and Sons, 13 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland, 1877 edn 1913.

evidence:-

old drawing:- Green 1809 (plate 68)
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Drawing, pencil, Keswick from beside the River Greta, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, about 1809.

evidence:-

old print:- Green 1809
placename:- Greta

source data:-

Print, soft ground etching, Keswick from the Greta, Cumberland, by William Green, published by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, and Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, Paternoster Row, London, 1809.

evidence:-

old print:- Green 1809
placename:- Greta, River
item:- weir (?)

source data:-

evidence:-

old print:- Goodwin 1887 (edn 1890)
placename:- Greta, The

source data:-

Print, etching? The River Greta, Keswick, Cumberland, by Harry Goodwin, published by Swan Sonnenschein and Co, Paternoster Square, London, 1890.

click to enlarge
PR1618.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.228 of Through the Wordsworth Country, by William Knight.
printed at lower right:- "The Greta Keswick"
item:- JandMN : 382.48
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print:- Pyne 1853
placename:- Greta, River

source data:-

Drawn by James Barker Pyne, 1848-1853, lithographed by T Picken, 1859.

click to enlarge
PY24.jpg
"Vale of Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake and the River Greta"
item:- JandMN : 97.21
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print:-
placename:- Greta
item:- road

source data:-

Print, uncoloured engraving, Bridge over the Greta, Keswick, Cumberland, by ?B Foster, engraved by E Evans, 1850s-60s?

click to enlarge
PR0494.jpg
printed at bottom left, right, centre:- "[B] Foster / E. EVANS SC. / BRIDGE OVER THE GRETA - KESWICK"
item:- Dove Cottage : 2008.107.443
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print:- Rose 1832-35 (vol.1 no.44)

source data:-

Print, uncoloured engraving, Keswick, from Greta Bridge, Cumberland, drawn by H Gastineau, engraved by W le Petit, published by Fisher, Son and Co, London, 1833.

click to enlarge
PR0018.jpg
vol.1 pl.44 in the set of prints, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland Illustrated.
printed at bottom left, right, centre:- "H. Gastineau. / W Le Petit. / KESWICK, FROM GRETA BRIDGE. / FISHER, SON &CO. LONDON, 1833."
item:- Dove Cottage : 2008.107.18
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print:-

source data:-

Print, uncoloured engraving, Greta Hall and Keswick Bridge, Cumberland, drawn by W Westall, engraved by E Francis, about 1830s?

click to enlarge
PR0151.jpg
printed at bottom left, right, centre:- "Drawn by W. Westall, A.R.A. / Engraved by E. Francis. / GRETA HALL AND KESWICK BRIDGE."
item:- Dove Cottage : 2008.107.151
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-

old print with text:- Farington 1816 (plate 33)

source data:-

Print, uncoloured engraving, Saddleback and the River Rothay (the Greta), drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by W Woolnoth, published by T Cadell and W Davies, Strand, London, 1815.

click to enlarge
BNV36.jpg
printed at bottom:- "... Saddleback and the River Rothay. ..."
Plate 33 in The Lakes of Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland ... with text by Thomas Hartwell Horne:- "SADDLEBACK AND THE RIVER GRETA. / ... this mountain, at whose foot flows the little river Greta, which adds much to the picturesque effect of the scenery. ..."
item:- private collection : 77
Image © see bottom of page

hearsay:-

Peter Crosthwaite's diary 10 June 1785 notes:-

"Soon this morning found six musical stones at the end of Long Tongue"

in the bed of the River Greta; the stones were perfectly in tune. After another six months of finds, and some chipping away to put things in tune, he had two octaves for a lithophone.

: 1877=1878; Transactions of the Cumberland Association for the Advancement of Literature: part 3: p.155

notes:-

Robert Southey commented on its meanderings:-

"Ambiguo lapsu refluitque fluitque
Occurrensque sibi venturas aspicit undas"

or, perhaps:-

"The devious streamlet flows, reflows, and flowing
Doth gaze on whence it coms and whither going"

Baron 1925

places:-