SHAP ABBEY. 149 



declining as the out-lying region is approached. Halsteads, the 

 family seat of the Marshalls, is the last stage commanding a 

 mountain-view. The hamlet of Watermillock is the chief settle- 

 ment passed on the way to the Water Foot. The Eamont is cros- 

 sed hy a handsome bridge leading to the pleasant inn at Pooley 

 Bridge, a great resort of anglers. A good lake-view is obtained 

 from Ewesmere, near Pooley Bridge ; and the traveller may there 

 take his farewell of Martindale, Glenridding and Hallin Fell. 

 The hill of Dunmallet or Dunmallard is worth climbing for the' 

 vestiges of a Roman fort which are visible at the top. As for the 

 fishing, there is no end of trout, a few char, and plenty of skelly, 

 the peculiarity of which may be best ascertained on the spot; and 

 in autumn abundance of eels are taken below the bridge. There 

 are no objects of particular interest between Pooley Bridge and 

 Penrith, but the roads which tend eastwards are all tempting. 

 One leads straight to Lowther Castle, and others enter the Park, 

 leading to the village of Clifton and Brougham Hall. Another, 

 to the south-east, leads to Hawes Water, and Mardale Green ; and 

 the same road is pursued through Bamton to Shap Abbey and 

 the mysterious antiquity in its neighbourhood called Carl Lofts. 

 Small are the remains of both — one tower is almost the only 

 remnant of the once magniikeut Shap Abbey, and the farmers 

 have made so free with the granite blocks which once marked the 

 area of Carl Lofts, that its boundary is difficult to trace. It was 

 once a strip of land half a mile long by about twenty-five yards 

 broad, described by huge granite blocks placed at intervals of 

 ten or twelve yards. To the west of Pooley Bridge, the main 

 road leads to Keswick, and the greater part of it has just been 

 described. 



Reverting however to our day's tour, an ordinary 

 party of travellers will be content with the road to 

 Ambleside, to close the labours of the 

 day. But young men will choose, if 

 there be daylight left, to diverge to the left to 

 Hartsop, to see Hays Water. The track passes 

 among the farms, and beside the beck, between the 

 mountains, and up till the source is reached, — the 

 secluded tarn called Hays Water. This little lake 

 is a mile and a half from the main road, and the 

 ascent is rather steep. It is the delight of the 



k 2 



HATS WATER. 



