Lake District village: Grasmere Tourist Information

Walks in Grasmere

Although a relatively small village, the visitor can still find plenty to do, good accommodation and excellent walks around Grasmere and Rydal Water, one of the most popular low level walks.

The famous gingerbread shop, once a tiny schoolhouse, is very tempting, and the popular traditional Grasmere Sports are held in August. Whatever your choice of leisure activities, the glorious surrounding scenery adds to the pleasure.

rydal water grasmere the lake district cumbria uk

Wordsworth actually lived in four different houses in the area around Grasmere, Rydal Mount is another of his homes and also open to the public, he obviously thought very highly of the Lakes and Grasmere in particular, once describing it as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’.

The village itself is set beside its own small lake amidst luscious green fields. It is one of the most visited spots in the Lake District. Downstream along the River Rothay is another small glacial lake known as Rydal Water. Both lakes have small islands that have been formed by glacial deposits. The little island in the Grasmere lake is called Grasmere Island. The river Rothay ends up at the Ambleside end of Lake Windermere. The Lake District is one of the most painted and photographed parts of the British Isles.

dove cottage grasmere the home of william wordsworth Best know as the home of William Wordsworth and the burial place of the whole Wordsworth family. Dove Cottage, now owned by the National Trust and open to visitors, was where William lived from 1799 to 1808.

The graves of the family are in the churchyard of St. Oswald’s Church, described by Wordsworth as a building of ‘rude and antique majesty.’ Today it is a favourite spot for visitors, particularly from Japan, set as it is in beautiful surroundings, overlooked by one of the many restaurants. One of the yews which shade the final resting place was planted by Wordsworth himself. The oldest part of St. Oswald’s church dates from the thirteenth century.

For a really peaceful stay in the Lake District, Grasmere certainly has a lot to offer, the gently rolling wooded landscape is in direct contrast to the high volcanic fells that can be found further west, just one more area in which to enjoy a stay in the Lake District.