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A mile west of the Abbey, from the top of Hawcoat, there is a
prospect, over a richly cultivated country and a part of the sea,
to a most extensive range of distant mountains: and from the more
lofty station of Birkrigg, the view of Furness and the
surrounding coast is singularly beautiful. Two miles from
Ulverston is Conishead, generally called the Priory, a place
highly extolled by Mr. West, who says, 'it is a great omission in
the curious traveller, to be in Furness and not to see so
wonderfully pretty a place.' The mansion has been several years
in rebuilding, and when finished will be a splendid residence.
Ulverston is upon the slaty rock, Dalton upon mountain limestone,
and the valley in which Furness Abbey is placed is flanked by red
sandstone, from which the Abbey has been built. Iron ore is
procured in large quantities from veins in the limestone; good
specimens of red hematite may here be obtained, with specular
iron ore, and quartz crystals.
On leaving Ulverston for the lakes, the road generally preferred
leads by Lowick Chapel, where there is a good view of Coniston
Lake, with the mountains at its head, and Helvellyn in the
distance; and after crossing Lowick Bridge, it proceeds up the
eastern side of the lake to Waterhead Inn, distant from Ulverston
14 miles.
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