The Landscape That Inspired Wordsworth
Grasmere is in the very heart of the Lake District and has some of the most stunning scenery in the UK. Its rolling hills and long views have inspired poetry from one of Englands most well known poets, William Wordsworth. Wordsworth lived in Cumbria, and you can now visit two of the houses he once lived in, namely Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. Its an inspiring place to visit and there are lots of great value places to stay where you can do your own thing – Cumbrian cottages are easy to locate with a bit of research, but settling on the one to stay in could be a tough decision!
There are plenty of quality Bed and Breakfasts in the village and a number of small independent hotels, some of which surround the Grassmere Lake. There are a number of excellent walking trails that lay to the south of the Village. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more demanding hike then you can’t go wrong with a climb up the craggy peaks – great for a workout, and the reward will be stunning views.
The Honey Pot Towns
Grassmere is surrounded by a number of other small villages known as “The Honey Pot Towns”. These include Ambleside, known as the the Jewel Town of Cumbria. Ambleside is ideal for those who love the great outdoors or simply want to relax. There’s a slow way of life around here and most visitors are happy to while the hours away visiting the local tea shops, having long lunches in the period restaurants and bars or taking in one of the local galleries or museums.
Alternatively, if you need to be up and at them, consider hiring a mountain bike. There are plenty of outlets in the village and you can hire for a few hours to a few weeks. Staff will make sure you are appropriately kitted out, for some of the cycle paths are quite extreme. Take a gentle ride through some of the flatter areas in and around the village or go wild and take out a mountain bike – this is the ideal landscape for off-roading on a bike.
If you need a hit at the shops, don’t expect too many “High Street” brands. Instead enjoy plenty of independent shops. Enjoy the bakers and cake shops – many are still family run establishment specialising in a particular cake or bread type. There are second hand, junk and antique shops – great for bits of bric-a-brac, and occasionally you’ll find a real treasure. Pubs are still very alive in this part of the country – and you can guarantee an excellent evening meal. It’s a lovely way to end a day, enjoying a fire and a glass of the local brew, before you stroll back to stay in one of the Grasmere cottages.
For such a small village it is surprising how many sporting events are held in Ambleside. There is always something on – be it local wrestling champions seeking to defend their title, dog shows or Fayres. Ambleside has its own Outdoor Festival too. So if you’re feeling energitic, book you and your mates into a couple of Ambleside cottages and book in for a couple of days of rock climbing. Check with the nearest Tourist Office to find out what’s on during your stay, and keep an eye out for local events. Have a chat with your landlord or landlady – they’ll be happy to share their local knowledge and insight with you over a cup of tea and a scone!
