A Tour of the English Lakes
B1. Bassenthwaite Lake from the North
Gray's Journal Entry: ‘Bassenthwaite Lake or Broad Water, as it is sometimes called, is nearly four miles north of Derwentwater, having, in the east, the beautiful and extensive vale of Bassenthwaite, forming several pretty bays; behind which the mighty Skiddaw (on the left of the engraving) rears its lofty head. Opposite, on the west, is a range of humble mountains, called Wythop Brows, which fall abruptly to the water’s edge, these declivities are partly rocky and partly covered with thick woods, consisting chiefly of young oaks, growing out of old stems. The mansion in the foreground is Armathwaite Hall, the seat of Sir Frederick Fletcher Vane, Bart, who has made very considerable plantations; so that the house, which in our view [in the engraving above] appears to be exposed, is now completely embowered in young and flourishing woods. The other mansion, on the left [in the distance], beneath Skiddaw, is Mire-House, the residence of John Spedding, Esq. who, since 1802, has also made extensive plantations in its neighbourhood, spreading over a considerable part of the adjoining mountain.’
Farington's Art
Bassenthwaite Lake c1800
Engraving: Looking south up Bassenthwaite Lake from above Armathwaite Hall. There is no watercolour or engraving of this scene in the 1789 volume.
Pixel View
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Location Hint: You can climb up above Armathwaite Hall but there are lots of trees here that obscure the view above. It is worth searching for a viewpoint on the high ground, but John Murray eventually settled for a shot from the lake shore.
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