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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.
The Peace Oak in Broadgate Meadow (next to the river), was planted by Canon Rawnsley (co-founder of the National Trust) on 19 July 1919 to mark a day of peace on the anniversary of the start of World War One.
The Rydal Coffin route was originally the main route between Ambleside and Grasmere (the modern road only dates from 1770). It was also used to carry the deceased from Rydal and Ambleside for burial in Grasmere Church until St Mary’s church in Ambleside was consecrated in 1854.
An 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. Its massive girth measures around 11 m (36 ft), although huge burrs make precise measurement difficult.
According to legend, a battle took place here in AD 945 between King Dunmail of Cumberland and a combined force of Anglo-Saxons and Scots. After Dunmail was killed in battle, a large pile of stones was placed over his body as a memorial to the dead king. The heap of stones can still be seen near the summit of Dunmail Raise between the two carriageways.
Dora’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. In the event, he continued living at Rydal Mount and gave the land to his daughter instead, thereafter calling it Dora’s field. When Dora died in 1847 aged 40, William and Mary Wordsworth planted hundreds of daffodils on the bank as a memorial to their daughter.
The 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.
Grasmere lake lies to the south of Grasmere village, around which there are some gentle walks for…
This gathering offers a spacious and gentle environment in which we can pause from the momentum of…
William Wordsworth wrote his radical Guide to the Lakes at Allan Bank. A new permanent exhibition…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
Blending sleek contemporary interiors with breathtaking natural surroundings.
Our licensed Yan Bistro promises a delicious seasonal menu inspired by our farm’s history - rustic…
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and…
We're Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire and we provide bus services in Barrow, Carlisle,…
Print, sculpture and sound-based installation exploring bird song. Artist Heather Mullender-Ross…
As we leave the stillness of winter and begin to prepare for spring, this retreat invites you to…
The focus of the retreat is the contemplation of creation. We will practice bringing…
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away…
A 48-Hour Retreat for Discovery & Replenishment of Mind, Body, and Spirit, for men and women. Fiona…
The Spa at Daffodil Hotel & Spa offers you the chance to relax and escape in true style and luxury.…
This is a two day course which covers the rise of the arts and literary movement called modernism.…
We are delighted to invite you to this Quiet Day at Rydal Hall — a reflective and theologically…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Our first floor restaurant, The Dining Room, benefits from stunning views of Grasmere Lake from…
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of…
Uncover the life and work of printmaker Gwyneth Alban Davis who ran her business while living in a…
Join us for an unforgettable weekend of connection, healing and transformation. The Buffalo is the…
What was Christmas like when the Wordsworths lived at Dove Cottage 200 years ago? Have a go at some…
This is a high quality workshop where participants will be taught how to create a small stone…
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent…


The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
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Grasmere
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of modern printmaking. Women in Print draws inspiration from the life and legacy of Gwyneth Alban Davis, whose values of community, resilience, and…
Grasmere
Join artist and guest curator Stacey Joy Rossouw for an artistic performance lecture and see The Time Lab in its final form before the exhibition concludes at the end of October.
'The Time Lab: Exploring a Living Prelude,' has transformed the…
Ambleside
Our licensed Yan Bistro promises a delicious seasonal menu inspired by our farm’s history - rustic Cumbrian classics, nostalgic British favourites and exciting modern dishes - all made from the outstanding local ingredients.
Grasmere
Join the The Poetry Business at Wordsworth Grasmere to celebrate the winners of the 2025 International Book & Pamphlet Competition, chosen by Kim Moore. The winners Ian Harker and Annina Zheng-Hardy will be reading poems from their prize-winning…
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.
Grasmere
The Cumbrian Cracker is one of the original Lakeland cycle sportives, with Grasmere Village hosting the start, finish and Race HQ. For the 2025 edition we retain the 100 mile option together with the original 60 mile route. This is a classic…
Grasmere
Are you ready for a spooky Halloween? Join us for hot chocolate, gingerbread, and Halloween crafts in our cosy Learning Space. Children will have fun dressing up in Georgian costumes while learning about the Wordsworths and hearing some of their…
Ambleside
A 48-Hour Retreat for Discovery & Replenishment of Mind, Body, and Spirit, for men and women.
Fiona Schneider is a Licensed Lay Minister at All Saints' Church in Ilkley, with a unique background that spans medicine, coaching, and spiritual direction…
Grasmere
Looking for an alternative Halloween event? Join us after dark for tales of eldritch creatures, haunted forests, mad scientists and vampires.
We'll first meet in our beautiful library where you will discover the haunting story of how Mary Shelley's…
Cumbria
Buses to and through Grasmere:
555 Lancaster - Kendal - Windermere - Ambleside - Grasmere - Keswick - Carlisle.
599 Kendal - Windermere - Ambleside - Grasmere - Lakeside (summer). Open top service during good weather.
599 Kendal - Windermere -…
Grasmere
Join the Litcraft team at Wordsworth Grasmere for Minecraft family fun! These free half-term workshops are themed around The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon by David Almond, a surreal modern fairytale in which a boy called Paul climbs a ladder to the…
Ambleside
On this course, students will learn how to create gossamer weight felt to make beautiful wraps and scarves. They will be shown how to create different edges in the felt and how to incorporate different fibres and threads in the surface design. There…
Grasmere
Experience the festive sprit at Allan Bank as voices fill the air with music.
Join us for a joyful afternoon of traditional Christmas carols in the decorated hall at Allan Bank, led by the wonderful local choir, Grasmere Glee. Everyone is welcome…
Ambleside
Our luxury accommodation has been hand built for our bespoke design for couples wanting a romantic retreat or a place to chill out for a few days. Minimum 2-night stay, any day arrivals.
Grasmere
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the world of Regency England with an exclusive, curator-led experience of Dove Cottage, the home of William Wordsworth, one of England’s most famous poets.
Ambleside
This independent, hostel is perfectly situated in the picturesque village of Elterwater, at the heart of the Langdale Valley in the English Lake District.
Ambleside
Stove Bar and Restaurant offers something for everyone all day and evening merging great indoor and outdoor spaces. Modern and traditional dishes featuring seasonal and the finest local produce are created by Scott and his team, you are able to get…
Grasmere
Whatever the reason for your visit and whatever the weather outside, you can expect to sleep soundly within the walls of this 17thC coaching inn. Many of our bedrooms have views across the garden towards Helm Crag.
Great Langdale, Ambleside
Design your own bespoke wreath. A wonderfully sociable event, perfect for connecting with others and celebrating the season together! Join Ashley from The Floralistas in Stove Restaurant & Bar and step into a world of festive artistry!
More from…
Grasmere
Join artist-designer and songwriter Stacey Joy Rossouw for a series of creative workshops inspired by The Time Lab: A Living Prelude, our new exhibition at Wordsworth Grasmere.
Learn new artistic skills and try something different – from found…
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