button to main menu  Otley's Guide 1823 (8th edn 1849)

button start of addendum
button previous page button next page
Page 189:-
the valley, at its junction with Little Borrowdale. There is a good inn here, where parties may form head quarters, while visiting the vicinity. Behind the house is a Roman Station, now called Castle Field, consisting of a square inclosure, 360 feet in length, and 300 in breadth. On the sides facing the east, north, and west, are the remains of the walls; and on the latter side, the traces of two fosses. Where the east gate stood, is a stone, which was dug out a few years ago, and it is evidently one of the original sockets, the groove for the hinge remaining as perfect as if freshly cut. Sherds of Roman pottery have been found; and a silver coin of the reign of Aurelian. From the style of the cutting or quartering of the facing stones, (many of which have been used in building the outhouses, in order to preserve them,) there is no doubt that this station is coeval with Overborough, and is the site of the long lost and much disputed Alone. The very name seems to warrant this opinion; for it is the first station on the Lune (or Lone); and what so natural as to give it the title from the river which watered its walls? The remains of several buildings have been discovered between the eastern wall and the river.
From Borrow Bridge, The Black Force and Cautley Spout may be conveniently visited; but only by pedestrians.
  Black Force
THE BLACK FORCE is a place frequented by few but the shepherds, and should not be attempted without a guide. It is a most terrific scene when visited in an evening. An enormous hollow in the mountain, about a quarter of a mile in length, and of an immense depth, yawns before you. You enter, and find a chasm, whose black walls seem to reach the top of the hill; at the
button next page
gazetteer links
button -- "Black Force, The" -- Black Force
button -- "Cautley Spout" -- Cautley Spout
button -- "Kirkby Lonsdale Bridge" -- Devil's Bridge
button -- "Low Borrow Bridge" -- Low Borrowbridge

button to main menu Lakes Guides menu.