Clappersgate is a small hamlet about a mile to the west of Ambleside standing on the River Brathay and probably as the name suggests Gate of Clapper. Historically the village was once classed as a "Port" due to the old wharf, which was used for the loading of locally produced slate and shipped down to Bowness and Lakeside. Although everything is on a small scale, with narrow river access and transport a few short miles, it was at one time, an important waylay point of embarkation. These days with slate being transported by road, the wharf is now part of a large villa called "The Boathouse."
At one time Clappersgate supported a mill, an Inn or Ale House and a shop, with a couple of farms in the area. Brathay Parish Church still operates today, though stands on the left bank of the river Brathay which did place it in Lancashire, the right bank being Westmorland, now both sides are in Cumbria.
Also worth mentioning is Brathay Hall, home and meeting place of a few worthy artists and writers, of the Wordsworth, Coleridge, Harden group.
No comments:
Post a Comment