This prince of the lakes is embosomed in a noble winding valley, about twelve miles long, every where enclosed with grounds, which rise in a very bold and various manner, in some places bursting into mountains, abrupt, wild, and uncultivated; in others breaking into rocks. craggy, pointed, and irregular; here rising into huh, covered with the noblest woods; there waving in glorious slopes of cultivated enclosures, enlivened with woods, villages, seats, and farms, scattered with picturesque confusion.
But what finishes the scene with an elegance too delicious to be imagined, is, that this noble expanse of water, which may vie with any thing in Britain, except Lough Lomond, is dotted with no less than ten islands, distinctly comprehended by the eye, from some points of view, all of the most bewitching beauty. Curwen's island, the largest, is of art oblong shape, swelling in the middle, and pointed at each end, it contains twenty-seven acres; and besides the neat mansion of its proprietor, John Christian Curwen, it is laid out in the most enchanting stile. Some of the other islets, called Hoims, are also superbly robed. The lake is farther enlivened by a little fleet of vessels belonging to Mr. Curwen, and by Bowness, Lowood, Calgaeth, and other places that adorn its banks.
The fish of Windermere are char, trout, perch, pike, and eel. The greatest depth of the lake is 222 feet, opposite to Eccles-cragg. The fall from Newby-bridge, where this current of the water becomes visible to the high water mark of the tide at Lowood, distant two miles, is one hundred and five feet.
The principal feeders of this sublime and beautiful lake, are the rivers Rothay and Brathay, which unite their waters at the western angle of its head, and, after a short course, boldly enter this grand reservoir.
Use the "Show me" link to locate Windermere on the map. You may need to scroll down to see Windermere highlighted.
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© 2008 The Republic of Pemberley
Chapter 42