RYDAL, a chapelry and township, joint with Loughrigg,
in the parish of GRASMERE, KENDAL ward, county
of WESTMORLAND, 1 mile (N. W.) from Ambleside, containing,
with Loughrigg, 299 inhabitants. The living is a
perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Richmond, and
diocese of Chester, endowed by Lady le Fleming with
land and money, and with £ 1000 royal bounty, and in
the patronage of Lady le Fleming, who, at the expense
of £1500, erected the chapel, which is a small but
handsome edifice, with an octagonal spire, consecrated
in 1825, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Day
and Sunday schools are supported by her ladyship,
for the instruction of the poor children of the township.
Rydal water, which winds through the valley for
nearly a mile, and in its course forms two beautiful
cascades, is surrounded by fine romantic scenery of wood
and mountain, and is remarkable for the beauty of its
small circular islands. Rydal Hall, the seat of the Le
Flemings, was plundered in the great civil war by Sir
Wilfrid Lawson, one of Cromwell's partisans.