English Lakeland

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8. Bassenthwaite Lake



Bassenthwaite Lake. - Skiddaw is seen in all its pride from the shores of Bassenthwaite and looks its full 3,000 feet in height. The circuit of the lake through Wythop Woods, over Ouse Bridge, and back across the breast of Skiddaw is one of singular beauty.





Wastwater is the grandest of the lakes and is possessed of a dark, sombre beauty. Grouped at its head are the wildest and most rugged of our mountains, Scawfell, Great Gable -- the central dome of our illustration -- Kirk Fell, and the wild mass of the Pillar, while -- rising directly from the edge of the water -- are the boulderstrewn slopes of the Screes crowned 1,000 feet above by magnificent bastions of sheer rock. The comfortable Wastwater Hotel at the head of the lake is the favourite resort and headquarters of all fell-walkers and cragsmen.