A Walk around Grasmere

• Deservedly a popular walk
• A beautiful beach on the southern shore
• Explore Grasmere village

Grasmere Lake is picture postcard and so well written about that it is impossible to say much new. Wordsworth lived on its shores and the village which bears its name is massively popular, partly as a result. It is a nice village, and the shops and eating spots are better than either of its larger neighbours Keswick and Ambleside but it is just too busy. Fortunately (and possibly deliberately) there is a restriction on the numbers of cars allowed to park but it is the coach tours which ruin it. Avoid the times the coaches come in and the village can certainly entertain for a couple of hours but do include a walk round the lake if you do. The lake is one of the smallest and a full circuit should not take long. The first and last part of the walk is along a road and it is only when I reach the lakeside path that I find the walk becomes a real pleasure . In particular the pebbly beach near the ford of the Rothay River and the copse of Woodland near White Moss are what defines a circuit of Grasmere with the views over the lake/village and up to Dunmail Raise iconic in status. This summer Grasmere appeared to have avoided the drought which is so prominent in other lakes, the trees still grow right on the waterside, the island encasing its full depth of 75 foot. The island in the centre of the lake is privately owned which is a shame because William and Dorothy Wordsworth found it an excellent picnic spot!

Recommend: If you have the energy climb Loughrigg Fell do, one of my favourite small Lakeland Fells which rises to the south of the lake.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL7 The English Lakes South Eastern Area
Start Point:	335076. Parking can be difficult in Grasmere and many park outside the village on the verge on the main road but it is a 10 minute walk to the centre. It feels more tailored to coaches than cars
Terrain:	Walking is on a road to start and finish the walk with the lovely lakeside path circling the southern end of the lake
Eating & Drinking:	A picnic on the beach near the weir is my choice but the tea shops in Grasmere are plentiful, have competition and are therefore not badly priced and friendly. Avoid the tea shop at the boating park, great situation, rude owners
Similar Walks Nearby:	A round of Elterwater In the Footsteps of Wordsworth Easedale Tarn from Grasmere
Places to Stay: