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One of the Lake District’s prettiest villages is Grasmere, nestled in a vale just north of Grasmere lake and crowned by magnificent fells and mountains on all sides. This is romantic England at its purest: immediately south of town is the rugged peak of Helm Crag (aka ‘the Lion and the Lamb’), while to the north is the ancient cairn known as Dunmail Raise. All around it are the scattered hamlets and farmsteads, while dense woodlands and lush meadows fringe the lakes of Grasmere and Rydal Water and Loughrigg Tarn.
Hardly surprising that painters, poets, writers and craftsmen were drawn to the area. Wordsworth described the vale of Grasmere and Rydal as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’, before moving here permanently. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey and Sir Walter Scott also stayed here, whilst the writer Thomas de Quincey moved into Dove Cottage on Wordsworth’s departure.
From the 18th century onwards, many artists journeyed here in search of ‘the picturesque and the sublime’, including William Green, John Constable and Turner. In more recent times, the Heaton Cooper family succeeded in capturing the changing moods of the Lake District in watercolours.
Anyone who visits Grasmere and nearby Rydal, just has to experience a post-walk cream tea. Tearooms, some of which are hidden away in beautiful surroundings, will guarantee you a warm welcome, with a variety of teas and coffees on offer and scones and homemade cakes to die for. Well worth plotting into your walking plans!
For a small place, Grasmere does well with its fine dining experiences, whilst still maintaining an unstuffy and relaxing atmosphere. It even boasts a Michellin Star restaurant, where fine dining is taken up to another level. Fine dining is available in many restaurants here, offering exquisite explosions of flavours, where the food is absolutely faultless.
Grasmere also has some amazing quirky cafes with twinkling lights and scatter cushions creating a lovely ambiance in which to enjoy a very high standard of food. As with many of these charming little cafes-come-restaurants, they’re very popular, so it’s wise to book ahead if you’re going in the evening.
After a long day on the Grasmere fells, stepping into a welcoming pub is like a little piece of heaven. They’re all dog-friendly with reliable WiFi and offer a superb choice of local ales and award-winning food. There’s everything from a 16C coaching inn, full of old world charm and roaring log fires and panoramic views - to characterful walkers’ bars, offering tasty classic pub food. For the beer buffs among you, there’s a wide selection of ales approved by CAMRA. But before you leave Grasmere there’s one more must-try foods – the delicious sweet treat, Grasmere Gingerbread.
Grasmere’s early history was all about farming, the manufacture of wool as well as some mineral and rock extraction. In the middle of the 16th century, Grasmere was home to 15 ‘fulling’ mills, where newly woven fabrics were pounded in soapy water with heavy hammers (or ‘stocks;’ hence Stock Lane in town) to shrink the fibres and therefore create denser, fuller fabric.
Local woods were coppiced to supply charcoal for iron ore smelting and bark for tanneries, and with greater prosperity in the 18th century came a building spurt, with the stone drawn from local quarries – White Stone quarry on the A591 was one of these (it’s now a car park).
Several packhorse trails once radiated out from the village; the ponies carrying cloths, fleeces, and other goods to markets in Keswick, Penrith and Kendal (via Ambleside). The old packhorse trail between Ambleside and Grasmere used to be the main route between the two towns before the new turnpike road (now the A591) was opened in 1770.
For most contemporary visitors, though, it’s the arrival of the Romantics from the middle of the 18th century that really put Grasmere and the surrounding area on the map. Painters, writers and poets in search of the picturesque and romantic notions of beauty came to explore the Lake District. William Wordsworth (1770–1850) came to live here in 1799 and spent much time walking in the area, composing lines of poetry based on what he experienced. His most inspirational years were spent at Dove Cottage (1799–1808). He and his family then moved to the more spacious Allan Bank (1808–1811), followed by a short stint at the Rectory (1811–1814) and lastly to Rydal Mount (1814–1850). Fellow poets and writers, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey and Sir Walter Scott, were frequent guests of the Wordsworths.
Once the new turnpike roads were completed in the late 18th century and the railway had arrived in Windermere in 1847, Victorian tourists came in their droves to experience the landscapes that had inspired the Lake Poets.
Rydal - The hamlet of Rydal is associated with two influential families: the Le Flemings and the Wordsworths. Rydal Hall was the home of the Le Fleming family who moved here from Coniston Hall and Rydal Mount was Wordsworth’s home for the last 37 years of his life.
Thirlmere - Thirlmere is a pretty, clear lake with a wooded shoreline and is best enjoyed from the west shore which winds its way through the trees.Thirlmere was once two smaller lakes called Leatheswater and Brackmere. The two lakes were joined by a footbridge until damning in 1879 created a rise in the water levels and Thirlmere was formed as the two lakes overflowed. It now serves as a water supply for Manchester.
Did you know?
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and…
Two storey stone cottage situated behind the main Hall with private outside patio overlooking Rydal…
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent…
Grasmere Brewery & Distillery was founded in 2018. Small & experimental, we love making what we…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
The epic swimrun event is back! An adventure through the stunning forests, lakes and mountains of…
Trail running event staring and finishing in Grasmere - taking in the stunning mountains and views…
Set in over thirty acres of garden, woodland and natural beauty in he Lake District UNESCO World…
Church cottage originally built in 1630 as the village school. Established in 1854 as Sarah…
Situated at the northern end of Grasmere, yet just 5 minutes walk into the village centre, Raise…
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints…
Brimstone Spa, is exclusively for residents of the Langdale Hotel, Langdale Lodges and Brimstone…
Originally build circa 1650. Modernised and extended in 2004. Situated by the side of Rydal Beck…
Our Garden Restaurant overlooks our beautiful gardens in the scenic village of Grasmere. We have…
A wide range of products for children and families focused around Peter Rabbit and Friends, but…
We are an independent brewery & distillery, proudly part of the Grasmere community. We make drinks…
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and…
Rydal Cave is a large cavern on the north side of Loughrigg Fell, above Rydal Water. This famous…
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent…
We're Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire and we provide bus services in Barrow, Carlisle,…
Stove Bar and Restaurant offers something for everyone all day and evening merging great indoor and…
The Wordsworth Hotel is a truly historic and beautify appointed 4* Lake District Hotel with a…
William Wordsworth knew a thing or two about the value of ancient trees. His poem 'Yew-Trees'…
We have two lovely cottages win the village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley, which we have…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 70
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Elterwater, Ambleside
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and the fells of the Langdale Valley. Real ales, traditional food and real log fires.
Ambleside
Two storey stone cottage situated behind the main Hall with private outside patio overlooking Rydal Beck with views of the valley. Sleeps 10 people in total.
Grasmere
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent selection of wines. Set in 3 acres of mature grounds. Newly refurbished throughout.
Grasmere
Grasmere Brewery & Distillery was founded in 2018. Small & experimental, we love making what we love to drink: from beers to cider, to premium spirits. Everything is made by hand, here in Grasmere, with good quality ingredients.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
518 reviewsAMBLESIDE
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who lived in nearby Dove Cottage and is buried in the churchyard.
Grasmere
The epic swimrun event is back! An adventure through the stunning forests, lakes and mountains of the Lake District National Park. Come join us for the Ultra (45km), Full (21.1km) or Middle (12.3km) course, with options to join as a SOLO entry or as…
Stock Ln, Grasmere
Trail running event staring and finishing in Grasmere - taking in the stunning mountains and views of the Lake District. Choose from 1 of 4 routes; 52km, 44km, 26km or 14km. Chill out post race in our event village with an ice cold Tenzing and a…
Grasmere
Enjoy live classical musical played by a harp quartet at Allan Bank. Informal performances will take place in the Wordsworth Study at various points across the day starting from 11am.
Ambleside
Set in over thirty acres of garden, woodland and natural beauty in he Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rydal Hall is the ideal venue for retreats, events, activity weekends or just a family holiday.
Grasmere
Church cottage originally built in 1630 as the village school. Established in 1854 as Sarah Nelson's Original Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.
Grasmere
Situated at the northern end of Grasmere, yet just 5 minutes walk into the village centre, Raise View House has uninterrupted views of Easedale and the surrounding fells, including the famed Lion and the Lamb.
Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Grasmere
Curated and hosted by poet Kim Moore, our contemporary poetry reading series continues throughout 2024. We will be listening to what poets have to say about our turbulent times, and how poetry can cross borders to challenge, delight and inspire us.…
Ambleside
Brimstone Spa, is exclusively for residents of the Langdale Hotel, Langdale Lodges and Brimstone Hotel and is reserved for adults only, and considered is one of the best spa’s in The Lake District. It is a place to relax and revive with seven…
Ambleside
Originally build circa 1650. Modernised and extended in 2004. Situated by the side of Rydal Beck with outdoor tables.
Grasmere
Our Garden Restaurant overlooks our beautiful gardens in the scenic village of Grasmere. We have recently been re-awarded our two coveted AA Rosettes offering high quality seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, expertly delivered by our…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1377 reviewsGrasmere
A wide range of products for children and families focused around Peter Rabbit and Friends, but also a wide selection of quality kids toys to play, learn and discover.
Grasmere
We are an independent brewery & distillery, proudly part of the Grasmere community. We make drinks we like to drink ourselves: refreshing beers & delicious gin. Try everything we make in The Good Sport, our Grasmere tap-room.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
518 reviewsLangdale
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and parking is plentiful. If you are in the National Trust the parking is free, otherwise expect to pay. There are toilet blocks in the car park and two…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1053 reviewsAMBLESIDE
Rydal Cave is a large cavern on the north side of Loughrigg Fell, above Rydal Water. This famous lakeland beauty spot is actually man-made, as a result of slate quarrying.
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