enjoy the view

NOTES

www.walkscene.co.uk

(above)Cave (below)Wordsworth graves

Grasmere and Rydal Water

Notes and points of interest

Caves Although impressive and, where accessible, somewhat attractive, the caves are not natural but are part of the former quarry workings. They are still worth a visit!

Coffin Stone A flat stone beside the road leading up from Dove Cottage is known as the Coffin Stone. It dates back to a period when Ambleside did not have a church of its own and coffins were carried across the hill to St Oswald's church in Grasmere. The stone provided a convenient resting place for the tired pallbearers to recover their strength for a final (dignified) walk down into the village.

Grasmere This is the name of both the lake and the village. By Cumbrian standards the lake is small, but it is very pretty and surrounded by trees and meadows. A cafe just outside the village hires rowing boats, which offer a pleasantly different view of the scenery. Grasmere village has several hotels, guest houses and B&B establishments, plus a number of pubs and restaurants. It has a good number of shops, including at least two that sell walking and climbing gear. There is good parking and a large Tourist Information office.

Dove Cottage Wordsworth's first family home where he spent the early part of his career and where his children were born. It is maintained as a museum by the National Trust.

Rydal Mount With increasing success and affluence Wordsworth was able to buy the much larger family residence of Rydal Mount.

St Oswald's Church, Grasmere Notable for its annual rush laying ceremony (a throwback to the days of earth floors) the Grasmere parish church is much more famous for having the Wordsworth family graves at the back of the churchyard. The church is named after a Saxon king of Northumbria who was also said to have preached on this site.