Scenic River Rothay runs through Grasmere’s valleys and vast fields. This charming village in the Lake District is best known as home of one of England’s most famous poets, William Wordsworth. Visit his former family homes to see the natural world through his discerning eyes.
Amble around the village center and enjoy a picnic on the central green, amid the quaint ambiance generated by 19th-century houses. St. Oswald’s Church dates back to the 14th century and contains the gravestones of Wordsworth’s family. Peruse the small adjacent building, once a schoolhouse, which now holds Sarah Nelson’s aromatic Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.
Enter Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy for 8 years from 1799. Admire the oak panels and coal-burning fireplaces from the early 19th century. The adjacent Wordsworth Museum contains personal items, including his letters and poem drafts.
Look around the spectacular landscape gardens of Rydal Mount, where the poet moved with his wife and children. He stayed here from 1813 until his death in 1850. Stand in his Writing Hut to see the beauty of the surrounding river and hills as Wordsworth would have done many years ago.
Other writers who lived in this region include essayist John Ruskin, children’s author Beatrix Potter and Samuel Coleridge, famous for The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Spectacular scenery appears in every direction. Cycle around Lake Grasmere and Windermere to the south. Trek to Easedale Tarn, 2 miles (3 kilometers) to the west.
The weather in this small village is relatively wet and mild year-round. Brace yourself for cold winter winds, when snow flurries fall.
Find the village in the southwestern part of the Lake District National Park, 8 miles (13 kilometers) northwest of the village of Windermere. Drive north from London for 5 to 6 hours to get to this stunning region in northwestern England.
As the home of the Lake Poets, Grasmere has a special place in the hearts of literature and nature enthusiasts.
