Gorgeous Grasmere: a slice of the old world charm

Bewitchingly beautiful and absolutely angelic, Lake District is one of the most picturesque and popular destinations in England.  With a plethora of things to do and see, our trip to this wonderful mountainous region ranks as one of my most memorable holidays.  Among the splendid places we visited, the garden village of Grasmere, however, remains my favorite.

Elegant and sublime, the idyllic environs of Grasmere had me truly captivated.

Described by William Wordsworth as one of the most beautiful places, Grasmere is extremely popular with tourists and is home to a number of cafes, pubs and quaint shops.  I particularly loved the colorful stores selling some of the most exquisite and attractive garden accessories.

 

Grasmere, is of course, most famous for the fact that it was once the home of the renowned poet William Wordsworth for about fourteen years.  Dove cottage which is the name of his 17^th century home, that he shared with his sister Dorothy Wordsworth, lies on the outskirts of Grasmere and is one of the most visited places in Lake District.  It is a place of great literary significance, in that, it was here that several of his timeless master pieces including “Ode to Duty” were penned.  The impeccably maintained house and the adjoining museum are a ‘must visit’ if you are a fan of classic English literature.  The grave of William Wordsworth lies in the premises of Grasmere’s St. Oswald’s Church.

Dove Cottage

Our last stop at Grasmere was at The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop which sells one of the most delectable versions of gingerbread.  Started by Sarah Nelson in 1854, this delicious creation is a unique spicy-sweet cross between a biscuit and cake.  Today, Grasmere Gingerbread is a registered trademark and the recipe is a ‘top secret’ that is passed down verbally through the generations.  In fact, the original recipe is supposed to be housed in the secure confines of a bank vault! Their souvenir shop is equally attractive and worth a visit.

To know more about the other attractions in Lake District, you can read this article on Happy Trips.