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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.
Food & Drink in Grasmere and Rydal
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.
Culture & Heritage
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.
Surrounding Areas
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?
Peace OakThe Peace Oak in Broadgate Meadow (next to the river), was planted by Canon Rawnsley on 19 July 1919 to mark a day of peace on the anniversary of the start of World War One.- Rydal Coffin RouteThe Rydal Coffin route was originally the main route between Ambleside and Grasmere (the modern road only dates from 1770).
- Sweet ChestnutAn ancient sweet chestnut in the grounds of Rydal Hall is estimated to be over 500 years old, and probably planted before the current hall was built in 1600.
- The Battle of Dunmail RaiseAccording to legend, a battle took place here in AD 945 between King Dunmail of Cumberland and a combined force of Anglo-Saxons and Scots.
- Dora's FieldDora’s Field was bought by William Wordsworth as a plot of land to build a house on when he was threatened with eviction from Rydal Mount.
- Rydal CaveThe cave, situated above Rydal Water, is a man made cavern that served as a slate quarry supplying excellent quality slate to the local villages, more than two hundred years ago. These days visitors can walk into the gaping mouth of the cave and explore the awesome mini ampitheatre complete with jagged rocks and a flooded pool inhabited by small fish and insects.
Highlights
Lakeland adventure that transforms into wellness.
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
From our base at the foot of Loughrigg, we take families and groups on a one day adventure with…
Stay in a luxury Shepherd's Hut at the stunning Victorian House Hotel in Grasmere. Perfect for a…
Interactive Family Daffodil walk - 18th March 10am -1pm No child left inside! You know that…
Trail running in the Lake District. All 4 routes start in Grasmere and take you on a rugged climb…
Climb, run jump and move with joyful abandon through trees, rock, and water. Nature is your…
Free electric bike charging point, located at Rydal Hall Tea Room.
This delightful traditional 2-bedroom Lakeland cottage is idyllically situated in a quiet, elevated…
These two traditional Lakeland cottages are beautifully situated in Great Langdale valley in the…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Choose from a soothing and healing hot Hawaiian Lomi Lomi sauna massage and plunge for spiritual…
With stunning views onto the fells, our Stargazer Rooms with their huge windows are ideal for…
Our elegant Signature Restaurant is famed for its excellent wine list and award-winning fine…
Voted Best Small Hotel at the 2018 Cumbria Tourism awards, Rothay Garden is a delightful Lakeland…
Grasmere lake lies to the south of Grasmere village, around which there are some gentle walks for…
Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes and is very popular partly because of its Wordsworth…
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent…
Join us this winter for a stellar stay that combines the comforts of The Wordsworth Hotel in the…
Be guided through invigorating breath work and a guided meditation that will relax you and prepare…
Many people recognise the outdoors as a place of connecting with something greater than themselves,…
Our 2 luxurious Micro Lodge Pods have been hand built for couples wanting a romantic retreat or a…
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints…
A selection of individual holiday apartments sleeping 2 to 4 persons. Quietly situated in our own…
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Number of results: 80
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Address
The Hermitage, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LRAmbleside
Lakeland adventure that transforms into wellness.
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
Address
The Hermitage, Rydal, Cumbria, LA22 9LRTelephone
07557 768 047Rydal
From our base at the foot of Loughrigg, we take families and groups on a one day adventure with beautiful horses carrying the load, following part of an ancient packhorse route with stunning views of Rydal Water.
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
Broadgate, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA229TATelephone
015394 35217Ambleside
Stay in a luxury Shepherd's Hut at the stunning Victorian House Hotel in Grasmere. Perfect for a relaxing stay after days exploring the Lake District with private riverbank views.
Address
The Hermitage, Rydal Road, Rydal, AMBLESIDE, Cumbria, LA22 9LXTelephone
07557768047Rydal, AMBLESIDE
Interactive Family Daffodil walk - 18th March 10am -1pm
No child left inside!
You know that feeling when you are coming out of the darkness of winter; the daffodils are smiling and dancing in the breeze; the larch buds are mouthwatering, the…
Address
The Showfield, Stock Lane, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SLTelephone
07745343261Grasmere
Trail running in the Lake District. All 4 routes start in Grasmere and take you on a rugged climb towards Easdale Tarn and then on to the impressive Stickle Tarn.
Continuing on your epic trail run you head back down the Cumbria way towards Greater…
Address
The Hermitage, Rydal, Cumbria, LA22 9LRRydal
Climb, run jump and move with joyful abandon through trees, rock, and water. Nature is your playground and tree climbing, outdoor leader, Ben shows you how to lose your inhibitions and find your playful innocence.
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
Wordsworth Grasmere, Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SHTelephone
01539435544Grasmere
This event was originally planned to take place on 19 October 2022 and will now take place on 25 January 2023.
Our contemporary poetry reading series 'Go to the poets, they will speak to thee' is running throughout 2022, curated and hosted by poet…
Address
Rydal Hall Tea Room, Rydal, AMBLESIDE, Cumbria, LA22 9LXAMBLESIDE
Free electric bike charging point, located at Rydal Hall Tea Room.
Grasmere
This delightful traditional 2-bedroom Lakeland cottage is idyllically situated in a quiet, elevated and secluded rural position above Grasmere next to Little White Moss Tarn a short walk from Dove Cottage.
Address
Chapel Stile, Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JPTelephone
015394 41680Ambleside
These two traditional Lakeland cottages are beautifully situated in Great Langdale valley in the heart of the Lake District where there are numerous walks to suit all abilities and ambitions.
Grasmere
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only partially restored and decorated, this isn’t a typical National Trust experience.
Address
The Hermitage, Rydal, Cumbria, LA22 9LRRydal
Choose from a soothing and healing hot Hawaiian Lomi Lomi sauna massage and plunge for spiritual connection or a wonderful Thai massage for stiff achy muscles.
Facilities
Beyonk Online Booking
- Bookable Product
Address
Broadgate, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA229TATelephone
015394 35217Ambleside
With stunning views onto the fells, our Stargazer Rooms with their huge windows are ideal for enjoying the night skies. The elegant rooms have handpicked furnishings and with the well fitted bathrooms and luxurious toiletries, they provide a…
Grasmere
Our elegant Signature Restaurant is famed for its excellent wine list and award-winning fine dining, awarded an AA rosette for culinary excellence.
Make time to drink in the beauty of Grasmere and the surrounding fells as you indulge in a…
Grasmere
Voted Best Small Hotel at the 2018 Cumbria Tourism awards, Rothay Garden is a delightful Lakeland hotel, overlooked by majestic fells in the vale of Grasmere, surely the perfect choice to enjoy a holiday in Cumbria's English Lake District.
Address
-Grasmere lake lies to the south of Grasmere village, around which there are some gentle walks for those that prefer the lower ground.
Address
-Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes and is very popular partly because of its Wordsworth connections. Steps lead up to 'Wordsworth's Seat'.
Address
Red Bank Road, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SWTelephone
015394 35300Grasmere
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.
Address
Grasmere, AMBLESIDE, Cumbria, LA22 9SWTelephone
01539 435592AMBLESIDE
Join us this winter for a stellar stay that combines the comforts of The Wordsworth Hotel in the heart of Grasmere with the magic of one of the best Orion viewing spots at Allen Bank, just a seven-minute walk away.
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