Grasmere
Grasmere
Length – 1.6km / Max Width – 0.6km
Quieter than the more popular lakes of Windermere and Derwent Water, Grasmere is still an attractive visiting point for tourists and is within close proximity to town of Ambleside. Loved by William Wordsworth this small lake is adjacent to the village that shares its name, home to the world famous Grasmere Gingerbread. Grasmere is easily accessible from the A591 that runs between Keswick and Ambleside.
Parking
There are two car parks in the village of Grasmere with the lakeside just a few minutes way by foot. These car parks do have a limited number of spaces and will fill up quickly during peak times, so get there early to be guaranteed a spot.
Facilities
Public toilets, pubs, and cafés can all be found in the village of Grasmere. Boat hire is available on the lakeshore just outside of the village. Dove Cottage, the former home to William and Dorothy Wordsworth, is located on the A591 overlooking the lake and is open to the public with a museum, shop and tearoom.
Walking Trails
Dove Cottage, Former Home of William Wordsworth
A walk around Grasmere is popular amongst tourists and is approximately three miles in total, though unfortunately a significant part of this is alongside the busy A591. Starting in the centre of Grasmere village follow the B5287 back out of the village onto the A591. Turn right onto the A591 and follow the road for around a kilometre (there is a pavement) until you can take the footpath starting at Grid Ref NY 343 062.
This path will lead you to a bridge that crosses the stream that connects Grasmere to Rydal Water. Once over the bridge, head to the right to join the lakeshore. Walk along the lakeshore until you are required to join a single-track road at NY 334 064. Turn right onto this road and it will take you back to the village of Grasmere.
Alternatively, a walk up to Easedale Tarn northwest of Grasmere will be quieter than the lake circuit in terms of the numbers of visitors, and will enable you to experience fantastic scenery without needing to ascend too high. Start at the village of Grasmere and follow Easedale Road out of the village centre to where the bridleway starts at NY 331 082. The bridleway takes you past a number of pretty waterfalls before reaching the tarn at NY 310 087. The route is around 4-miles there and back.