WINDERMERE, a parish in KENDAL ward, county
of WESTMORLAND, 9 miles (W. N. W.) from Kendal,
comprising the chapelry of Troutbeck, and the townships
of Applethwaite and Undermilbeck, and containing,
with the chapelry of Winster, which is in the parish
of Kendal, but exclusively of a portion of the township
of Ambleside, which is in this parish, 1441 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Richmond,
and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's books
at £24. 6. 8., and in the patronage of the Rev. Sir R.
Fleming, Bart. The church, dedicated to St. Martin,
stands in the village of Bowness. The east window,
which is of stained glass, formerly belonged to .Furness
abbey, at the dissolution of which it was purchased by
the parishioners and placed here. This parish derives
its name from the beautiful lake, anciently called
Wynandermere, which is twelve miles in length, by
about one in breadth, and is in depth forty fathoms.
It is studded with many picturesque islands, the principal
of which, Bello, the property of Mr. Curwen, is
richly wooded, and adorned with an elegant circular
mansion. In the centre of another, bearing the name
of the lake, stood Holme House, which was besieged
for the parliament by Col. Briggs, who, on the siege
of Carlisle being raised, was obliged to abandon it.
On a smaller one, called Lady Holme, formerly stood
a chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Great quantities
of char, taken in this lake during the winter
months, are potted and sent to different parts of the
kingdom. On its margin are several good inns for
the accommodation of visitors, at two of which, Low
Wood and Ferry Inns, regattas are held annually about
the beginning of September; these are attended by
families of distinction, and terminate with balls, exhibitions
of fireworks, &c. For a further account of
this lake, see the article on the county of WESTMORLAND.