Skiddaw, Cumberland
Historical Description
Skiddaw, a mountain and a parish in the centre of Cumberland, on the E side of Bassenthwaite Water. The parish has an area of 2969 acres; population, 7. The mountain culminates 3½ miles N of Kcswick, at an altitude of 3059 feet above sea-level, spreads into an oblong mountain-mass 8 miles by 7; includes Saddleback, Linthwaite Fell, and the Caldbeck Fells, with altitudes of 2856 and 2101 feet; bears, in its central part, the name of Skiddaw Forest; consists partly of granite, but chiefly of clay slate; commands very extensive and most gorgeous panoramic views; and has been celebrated by many poets, including Drayton, Lamb, Keats, and Wordsworth, the last of whom says:-" What was the great Parnassus' self to thee, Mount Skiddaw — In his natural sovereignty Our British hill is nobler far; he shrouds His double front among Atlantic clouds, And pours forth streams more sweet than Castally."
Civil Registration
For general information about Civil Registration (births, marriages and deaths) see the Civil Registration page.
Land and Property
The Return of Owners of Land in 1873 for Cumberland is available to browse.
Maps
Online maps of Skiddaw are available from a number of sites:
- Bing (Current Ordnance Survey maps).
- Google Streetview.
- National Library of Scotland. (Old maps)
- OpenStreetMap.
- old-maps.co.uk (Old Ordnance Survey maps to buy).
- Streetmap.co.uk (Current Ordnance Survey maps).
- A Vision of Britain through Time. (Old maps)
Visitations Heraldic
The Visitation of Cumberland, 1615 is available on the Heraldry page.