Claife Township, 1848

CLAIFE, a township, in the parish of Hawkshead, union of Ulverston, hundred of Lonsdale north of the Sands, N. division of the county of Lancaster, 2 miles (S.S.E.) from Hawkshead; containing 541 inhabitants. This truly picturesque district consists of a ridge of hills extending throughout its whole length from north to south, between the lakes of Windermere and Esthwaite. The scenery is exquisitely beautiful and strikingly diversified; and from one point of view, on the western bank of Windermere, where is a small house belonging to H. Curwen, Esq., called the Station, the surrounding objects appear in all their grandeur and variety. About the centre of the township, on the shore of Windermere, a small peninsula stretches into the lake, at the extremity of which is an inn much frequented by tourists, whence there is a ferry to a similar peninsula projecting from the opposite shore, for the transport of passengers, luggage, and horses; at this passage, which is little more than 500 yards across, forty-seven persons were drowned, from the effects of a storm, in 1635. In the northern part of the township is a small sheet of water, called Blellam Tarn, well stored with various kinds of fish. At Colthouse is a place of worship for the Society of Friends; and in the village of FartherSawrey is a school of ancient foundation, to which three members of the family of Braithwaite contributed, at various times, sums amounting to £465, the interest whereof is paid to the master. The school-house was rebuilt in 1835.