Town End Boathouse

A small lakeside boathouse, dated 1843 and a rebuilding of an earlier structure. It was constructed for William Pearson, an astronomer, and subsequently caused considerable offence to his former school contemporary, William Wordsworth, who criticised the original boathouse and, later, considered the rebuilt structure to be an improvement, though still obtrusive. The building reflects the expanding recreational use of the Lake District in the 19th century. The boathouse is built of rubble Lakeland stone with quoined corners, decorative bargeboards, and a Westmorland slate roof laid in diminishing courses. The west elevation, facing Grasmere, features a wide, semi-circular arch forming a boat entrance leading to a covered mooring at ground floor level. A narrow slate string course serves as a cill to a central, upper-floor, three-light window where the central light is taller than the flanking lights, set beneath a stepped hood mould. Oversailing eaves are carried on the exposed ends of purlins and wall plates. A single gabled dormer rises through the eaves on the south side elevation. A single-storey east elevation to the road includes a central doorway with studded double doors, also beneath a hood mould, and above, a plaque reading "W. P. 1843". A narrow, projecting wing extends to the north, featuring a circular chimney. Internally, the boat-shaped mooring is flanked by coursed rubble walls incorporating landing steps, with walkways leading to twin flights of steps to the upper level.