'^xcnxmn. 257 



this direction (from the north) and on wheels rather than 

 on foot, as the road lies between hedgerows. The valley- 

 runs directly southward from Threlkeld, with White Pike 

 and Great Dodd, limbs of Helvellyn, bold on the left, and, 

 in front is the famed ©astle ^orft, apparently barring 

 the defile. The greatest of British descriptive poets has 

 thus described it in his Bridal of Triermain : — 



** Paled in by many a lofty hill, 

 The narrow dale lay smooth and still ; 

 And, down its verdant bosom led, 

 A winding brooklet found its bed." 



For rich pastoral beauty, and grandeur that is nevertheless 

 homelike, S)i. |"ciijn'0 "^iTale excels even in this favoured re- 

 gion ; and we do not know anything more charming than the 



1^ paths and lanes which lay off to the west of the high-road. 



P About four miles from Threlkeld, the valley joins the 

 8 high-road from Ambleside to Keswick, close to Thirl- 

 mere. This singular mere, lying as it does between the 

 two more famous lakes of Derwentwater and Grasmere, 

 has always been underrated; and the tourist is generally 

 content with the not very attractive view of it which he 



9K gains from the coach-road. The lake is reached by a lane 

 on the right, just beyond the inn at Dale Head* The white 

 house on the opposite shore is the one stated to be haunted ; 

 but, in the broad daylight, you will probably not be agitated 

 by that circumstance. 



Crossing the picturesque bridge (reported to be Roman), 

 raised high for fear of floods, take the path southwards as 



-iVz far as Lawnchy, or Jkattcg ©ill, and, if possible, pursue 



^Yz that stream to its source. (See Ambleside Section, p. 130). 

 When you have visited it, it will be time to go home. Do 

 not cross the bridge now, but keep the west shore under the 



s 



