Briar Cave, Watermouth, Devon (1850)

Rock & Company
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Devon West Country Studies S SC0106
Illustration Reference
SC0106
Location
CD 2 DVD 1
Publication Details
Date
1850
Publisher
Scope and Content
Walters, W. Ilfracombe: a health resort. A guide to the North Devon coast. Ilfracombe; John Tait, 1878. pp. 68 - 69.Last, but most certainly not least, in our description of drives and excursions near Ilfracombe, is WATERMOUTH, the property of the Rev. A. C. Bassett; the castellated mansion stands on a knoll commanding a pleasant view of the snug little harbour, and surrounded by shrubberies and well wooded grounds. Watermouth is distant about two miles and a half from Ilfracombe, on the Lynton-road, and after passing the castle the drive may be prolonged up a lovely valley through which runs a pleasant trout stream, to Berrynarbor, but the chief attractions here are the Smallmouth Caves, which are approached by passing through a gate on the left after passing Watermouth, where a toll of one penny is charged by the owner These caves present a scene of surpassing beauty, and the visitor should certainly see them, arranging the time so that he may be there something after half ebb tide or low water, when they can be viewed to the greatest advantage. Hangman Hill and Combmartin Bay, with its glorious rock scenery, viewed through the rocky arch of the bay on the right hand, present a picture limned by the master hand of Nature, that few of the many beautiful spots about Ilfracombe can equal; whilst a smaller cavern approached by a narrow fissure on the left hand side of the beach, named "Briary Cave" is another opening through which a choice specimen of rockery scenery may also be obtained. In Gosse's "Ramblings of a Naturalist on the Devonshire Coast", these Smallmouth Caves are thus described - […] "On either hand is another natural archway, that on the right resembles the one just described, and looks out on the same scene. The one to the left is essentially similar, but as it leads inland it may be traversed, and the explorer will find himself at the end of the arch at the bottom of a deep circular pit, whose precipitous sides are fringed with matted brambles, whence it derives its name of Briar Cave. At first there seems no mode of escape from the prison, except through the gallery by which the visitor entered: but a careful examination reveals a narrow pathway among the bushes, which climbs upon one side to daylight and liberty on the downs above."[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]
Format
Steel l.engr vign
Dimensions
62x95mm
Note
Rock & Co. ; no. 1497. 1 Dec 1850
Counties
Subjects
Dates
1850