Literary Lake District

Rydal Mount House & Gardens

The Lake District is a marvellous place of pilgrimage for all lovers of literature and the arts.  Famous writers and artists include William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Ruskin, JW Turner, Beatrix Potter, Hugh Walpole, Arthur Ransome, Hunter Davies and Melvin Bragg.  At every turn there is a place that will delight and enthrall anyone who loves a good read, uplifting art and all that is creative.  Join me in a journey of discovery to the heart of Literary Lake District…

Here are 3 circular Literary Walks in south Lakeland starting from Hawkshead, Grasmere and Ambleside.

Hawkshead & Near Sawrey

Hawkshead Village

Hawkshead is a picturesque Lakeland village, once an important medieval town and the centre of the woollen industry in North Lancashire, so there many beautiful and interesting buildings of architectural importance in the village. It also has a long literary heritage.

Highlights of the tour include:  

  • Hawkshead Grammar School, built in 1585, where Wordsworth attended
  • Ann Tyson’s Cottage where Wordsworth stayed during school time
  • The Beatrix Potter Gallery with its unique collection drawings & prints
  • Medieval Market place, old pubs, quirky shops & quaint cafes
  • Countryside walk to the hamlet of Near Sawrey
  • Beatrix Potter’s home Hill Top, setting for The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck etc.

 Grasmere & Rydal Village

Grasmere from The Fairy Cafe Gardens

The village of Grasmere is a charming place to explore, by the small but perfectly formed lake of Grasmer with the River Rothay flowing through in the heart of the Lake District National Park,  It has many literary connections especially for William Wordsworth afficianados.

Highlights include:

  • St Oswalds Church & Wordsworth’s grave
  • The Story Teller’s Centre
  • The Fairy Cafe
  • Dove Cottage where Wordsworth lived & composed some of his best poetry
  •  The Wordsworth Museum with original, manuscripts & memorabilia of the Early Romantics
  • Walk along the old Coffin Trail to the tiny hamlet of Rydal
  • Rydal Mount, Wordsworth’s home.

View from Wordsworth's Study, Rydal Mount

 Ambleside & Rydal

Ambleside is a  largely Victorian town now but has a history dating back to before the Roman occupation. There are many literary connections, including Keats, Tennyson, Harriet Martineau, Charlotte Bronte and William Wordsworth, who worked at The Old Stamp House from 1813-43 when he was Distributor of Stamps for Westmorland.

Highlights of the tour include:

  • Stock Gyhll Force
  • St Mary’sChurch
  • The Armitt Museum & Library
  • Walk to the tiny hamlet of Rydal
  • Rydal Mount, Wordsworth’s home,
  • Rydal Water and Cave

Rydal Water

For more information, prices and to book your own personal tour contact Zoë