to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
A two-day Christmas gifts and crafts fair featuring artists and designers from around Cumbria. Live…
The Britannia is a traditional 500-year-old Lakeland Inn nestling in the village of Elterwater and…
Wordsworth's best loved family home for 37 years. It was here that he wrote many of his poems. He…
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints…
Yoga/Mindfulness/Walking Retreat in the Lakes Friday 12th to Sunday 14th November 2021 (or extend…
Church cottage originally built in 1630 as the village school. Established in 1854 as Sarah…
Voted Best Small Hotel at the 2018 Cumbria Tourism awards, Rothay Garden is a delightful Lakeland…
Enjoy a cosy holiday in The Old Sawpit. This Elterwater property has lots of character, and sleeps…
Whatever the reason for your visit and whatever the weather outside, you can expect to sleep…
Electric bike charge point
A wide range of products for children and families focused around Peter Rabbit and Friends, but…
Set in over thirty acres of garden, woodland and natural beauty in he Lake District UNESCO World…
The second day purposefully heads for the heights to cross over the barrier of the central fells…
A warm, comfortable, centrally situated 4-star guest house. All rooms have en suite bath and shower…
Whatever the reason for your visit and whatever the weather outside, you can expect to sleep…
Set in over thirty acres of garden, woodland and natural beauty in he Lake District UNESCO World…
Get creative and notice Nature in this journaling workshop. 200 years ago Dorothy Wordsworth used…
Our 2021 contemporary poetry reading series, "Go to the poets, they will speak to thee", is curated…
Brimstone Spa, is exclusively for residents of the Langdale Hotel, Langdale Lodges and Brimstone…
The Langdale Hotel & Spa in the heart of the Lake District, is the perfect place for getting away…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
Electric bike charge point
Tweedies Bar & Lodge with 2 restaurants and public bar serving guest ales, world beers, excellent…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
.jpg)
Search
- Accommodation
- Things to Do
- What's On
- Food & Drink
-
Towns & Villages
Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink
Towns & Villages
Towns & Villages
Number of results: 84
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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
Rydal Mount and Gardens, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LUTelephone
015394 33002Ambleside
A two-day Christmas gifts and crafts fair featuring artists and designers from around Cumbria. Live music, craft workshops, mince pies and mulled wine. Copies of poetry and other books signed by members of the Wordsworth family will also be on sale…
Address
Elterwater, Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9HPTelephone
015394 37210Ambleside
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
Wordsworth's best loved family home for 37 years. It was here that he wrote many of his poems. He became Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria at the age of 74 and was his most successful.
Address
Wordsworth Grasmere, Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Lake District, LA22 9SHTelephone
01539435544Grasmere
Meet the people behind the exhibition!
Join us and celebrate 'Still glides the Stream', our new exhibition exploring Wordsworth's The River Duddon, a series of 33 sonnets tracing an imaginary walk through the Duddon valley in Cumbria. The…
Address
Rydal Mount and Gardens, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LUTelephone
015394 33002Ambleside
An exclusive dinner in the dining room at Wordsworth's home, Rydal Mount, cooked by top chef Martin Frickel, and followed by reading of Wordsworth's poetry by his family
Address
Wordsworth Grasmere, Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Lake District, LA22 9SHTelephone
01539435544Grasmere
Take a day out of your busy lives and spend time together in Nature. This wellbeing day is designed especially for families and is the perfect way to unwind.
In the 1800s the Wordsworth family lived what we think of today as a simple life. They…
Address
The Studio, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9SXTelephone
015394 35280Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Address
Rydal Hall, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LXTelephone
07875 355 925Rydal, Ambleside
Yoga/Mindfulness/Walking Retreat in the Lakes
Friday 12th to Sunday 14th November 2021 (or extend your stay to the Monday)
Relax and unwind in the rolling hills and expansive lakes of Ambleside - come and spend a weekend getaway in the peaceful…
Ambleside
Festival Walks with Steve Watts
Mon 2 @ 1.30pm
How often do you get to visit a music festival AND a UNESCO world heritage site? Complete your experience by getting out and about in the stunning countryside with our new guided walks. Led by expert…Address
Grasmere Gingerbread®, Church Cottage, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9SWTelephone
015394 35428Grasmere, Ambleside
Church cottage originally built in 1630 as the village school. Established in 1854 as Sarah Nelson's Original Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.
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
The Old Sawpit, Elterwater, Cumbria, LA22 9HSTelephone
015394 37417Elterwater
Enjoy a cosy holiday in The Old Sawpit. This Elterwater property has lots of character, and sleeps up to 4 people.
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.
Ambleside
Electric bike charge point
Address
Units 1 and 2, Church Bridge, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SNTelephone
01539488115Grasmere
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.
-
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.
Address
Grasmere, CumbriaCumbria
The second day purposefully heads for the heights to cross over the barrier of the central fells into Borrowdale. Fortunately an easy walk through Grasmere village, home to Wordsworth and inspiration to Coleridge, and then a steady climb up the old…
Address
Beck Allans Guest House, College Street, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SZTelephone
015394 35563Grasmere
A warm, comfortable, centrally situated 4-star guest house. All rooms have en suite bath and shower. Guest House lies in own grounds in the centre of Grasmere village. Close to shops, bars and restaurants.
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.
You may also like
Follow The Lake District, Cumbria on Social Media
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
