If you go down to the woods today that's Serpentine Woods, in Kendal you can soak up the atmosphere, history and an arboreal vision that was first planted in 1790.

Formerly common grazing land, this side of Kendal Fell where the woodland was laid out rises considerably, with paths that diverge in all directions creating secret little hideaways at almost every turn.

In the depression of the 1820s, when unemployment was high, a group of around 40 subscribers had the woods set out as walks to provide work for some of the townsfolk.

This "delightful promenade" was originally called Serpentine Walks, probably due to the snake-like tracks twisting and winding through the trees. Flower beds were planted and a cottage built which could be hired for tea parties.

The public was admitted but damage to the plantation meant that entry had to be restricted to subscribers.

The summer house was built in 1833/4 overlooking an "extensive prospect to the east and north-east" with sixpence (2p) charged for its use. According to a Guide to Kendal, of 1847, one of the windows was made of stained glass, "throwing the hues of summer and winter, autumn and spring, over the same landscape in rapid succession."

For a great many years sixpence was also charged for admission to the walks, and neat beds of flowers bordered the footpaths.

To protect the area from sale or building leases as demand for building sites at this end of town increased, an Act was obtained in 1861 stating that "no part of the Serpentine Walks, nearly 18 acres, shall be sold, leased or exchanged, but shall for all time remain appropriated for the purposes of public recreation."

Two Wellingtonia trees, of which one survives, were planted in 1863 on the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandria.

From 1873 until the Second World War, a time gun near the woods summit was fired daily at one o' clock by remote control from a shop in Highgate which was in telegraphic communication with Greenwich. In favourable atmospheric conditions it was reported to be heard ten or 12 miles away.

After the war the gun mysteriously disappeared but this is a story to be told in another article.

February 13, 2003 11:00