BORROWDALE, Cumberland - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"BORROWDALE, a chapelry in the parish of Crosthwaite, ward of Allerdale-above-Derwent, in the county of Cumberland, 6 miles to the S. of Keswick, its post town. It is situated in a narrow valley, bearing the same name, at the head of Derwentwater. The district is wild and mountainous, abounding in scenery of varied grandeur and beauty. The river Derwent takes its rise at Sparkling Tarn, at the head of the valley, runs between beautiful meadows shut in by mountains on both sides, rising to the height of 400 or 500 feet, and expands into the fine lake which bears its name. The mountain sides are covered with woods. The Dale contains the hamlets of Grange, picturesquely situated at the entrance, Rosthwaite, Seathwaite, and Seatoller. It was once a possession of the monks of Furness. Near the hamlet of Grange is Castle Cragg, a conical hill, commanding a fine prospect. Its sides are wooded, and on its summit are remains of an old entrenchment. Another object of interest is the remarkable detached mass of rock called the Bowder Stone. It rests on a narrow base, and is about 62 feet long. It is estimated to weigh nearly 1,800 tons. The hamlet of Rosthwaite stands at the junction of three valleys. The most important feature of this district is the famous mine, yielding the so-called black-lead, now named more accurately "graphite". It is also called wad, plumbago, and black cawke. The mine is at Giller Coom, near Seathwaite, in the side of a steep hill of grey porphyry. The valuable mineral, which occurs in modules in hollows of the mountain, is found here in greater abundance and of purer quality than anywhere in the world, the sale sometimes producing £100,000 per annum. It has been recently stated by scientific men that the supply cannot last many years, and the working is at present suspended. The workmen were not allowed to quit the mine without an examination in the entrance-room, where firearms are kept, as a security against theft. The lead is sometimes found in lumps weighing as much as 50lbs. Blue slate is quarried in several parts of the Dale, and copper and lead exist in small quantities. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Carlisle, value £80, in the patronage of the Vicar of Crosthwaite. The chapel, rebuilt in 1824, stands near Rosthwaite. There is also a Church of England chapel; recently erected, at Grange, besides places of worship for Dissenters at Grange and Rosthwaite. A sheep fair is held at Borrowdale on the first Wednesday in September." "GILLERCOOMBE, a valley in Borrowdale, county Cumberland, famous for its rich mine of wad, or graphite." "GRANGE, a village in the county Cumberland, 4 miles S.W. of Keswick. It is situated on Grange Beck, in the vicinity of Derwent Water." "ROSSTHWAITE, a hamlet in Borrowdale, county Cumberland, 5 miles S. of Keswick. It is situated on the river Derwent, and has a small chapel. In the vicinity is the Bowder Stone." "SEATHWAITE, a hamlet in Borrowdale, county Cumberland, 7 miles S.W. of Keswick. It is situated on the Derwent, and is celebrated for its black-lead mines." "WATENDLATH, a hamlet near the Lowdore, county Cumberland, 4 miles S. of Keswick."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]