Grasmere cottages

Holidays in Grasmere

A guide to holidays in Grasmere

Sitting at the northern edge of the Lake District, close to the lake of the same name, Grasmere is a delightful and typically English village overlooking the Greater Langdale valley. From our Grasmere cottages, you can discover the village’s connections to the poets of the English Romantic period and its classic Cumbrian charm.

Grasmere is an extremely popular destination with tourists as it was the long-time home of William Wordsworth, one of the country’s best-loved poets. He lived in several houses in and around the village, including the Old Rectory, Dove Cottage, Rydal Mount and Allan Bank, where he resided with another much-loved poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, writer of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Also of interest is the old village school, where Wordsworth and his wife taught the local children; this is now home to a gingerbread shop, using the classic Grasmere gingerbread recipe devised by Sarah Nelson in 1854. After Wordsworth passed away in 1850, he was buried at the village’s St Oswald’s Church, where many people still flock to each year in order to pay their respects to the writer.

It’s easy to see why Wordsworth fell in love with Grasmere, as there’s some great sights to be seen both in and around the village. In the distance lies the towering rocky hill of Helm Crag, which has also been nicknamed the ‘Old Lady at the Piano’ and the ‘Lion and the Lamb’ due to what it resembles when seen from different angles. The ascent is moderately challenging, and from the top you can see stunning views out over the village and lakes. Plenty of scenic walks can be enjoyed around the edge of Lake Grasmere – the view at sunrise is not to be missed. Between March and November, it is also possible to hire a rowing boat and leisurely float along the lake’s calm waters.

From the village itself, you can also enjoy a pleasant stroll from the churchyard, following the course of the River Rothay. Along the river you will also find the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden, a quiet place for reflection and for enjoying the village’s tranquillity. There’s plenty within Grasmere to keep visitors entertained, including restaurants, a cinema, a live music venue and even the largest jigsaw puzzle shop in the UK. Check out our guide featuring more Lake District villages and plan which ones to visit on your next trip.

Further afield, Lake Windermere can be found just a few miles to the south, where there’s a larger range of outdoor activities to try out, as well as several more lakeside walks, towns such as Ambleside to explore, and many top attractions such as the World of Beatrix Potter.

If you’ve been inspired to base your Lake District getaway in scenic Grasmere, with its interesting literary connections, take a look at our full collection of places to stay in Grasmere. We have a wide variety of self-catering accommodation in and around the village to rent, ranging from romantic holiday cottages to dog-friendly lodges.