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 Grasmere lies in the heart of the Lake District, centrally placed between Ambleside, Keswick and Coniston.
Grasmere is probably the most visited village in the Lake District.
The shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants are devoted entirely to ensuring that "you" the visitor are well provided for in all respects.
The focal point is the Church of St. Oswalds with the graves of William Wordsworth and his family.
 
 Close by is the recently completed Wordsworth Garden; a tranquil place beneath trees and next to the River Rothay. You may wonder from where the appetising aroma is radiating close to one of the church entrances. It comes from Sarah Nelsons Gingerbread Shop. Built in 1630, this small building, now a bakery and shop was once the schoolhouse.
Opposite are the 17th century cottages of Church Stiles. Formerly an Inn, they now house the National Trust Shop.
 Grasmere Lake, described by Wordsworth as "the loveliest spot that man has found" is but a short stroll from the village with its undemanding shoreline walks.
A visit to The Heaton Cooper Gallery is recommended with it's display of water colours by the famous artist. In the mid-summer of each year the Gallery presents an exhibition by various artists and sculptors.
Late August sees the entertaining Grasmere Sports with displays of Cumberland wrestling, fell racing and hound trailing. This event is a huge visitor and local favourite.
 The Rush Bearing Ceremony is in August where a procession, carrying bundles of rush, proceed to St; Oswalds church. Here the rush is laid upon the floor. This is a centuries old tradition of providing extra warmth to the often cold stone floor covering.
Grasmere is an enchanting area with it's mountain sentinels and wooded slopes. It is reached by the often busy A591 which in parts between Ambleside and Grasmere is narrow and winding. Extra caution and patience are necessary, and once there you will find much of interest and more than likely you will return again and again.
How to get there:
By rail: From the West Coast Main Line, change Oxenholme for Windermere.
From Windermere, take one of the many buses or taxis. The journey is about seven miles.
By road: Situated on the A591, Grasmere is easily accessible from the M6 motorway, exiting at J36.
Local links:
Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum.
The inspirational home of the poet William Wordsworth.
www.wordsworth.org.uk
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(C of E) St. Oswalds Church
Parish church to Grasmere, Rydal and Langdale.
Each township has its own separate entrance gate to the churchyard.
Burial place of William Wordsworth, his wife Mary, his sister Dorothy, his children, Dora, William, Thomas, and Catherine, Marys sister, Sarah Hutchinson, and other family members.
Rush Bearing Ceremony each year on the Saturday nearest to St. Oswalds Day, the 5th of August.
(Cof E) Hawkshead - St. Michael and All Angels Church
Built around 1500. An impressive War Memorial stands in the churchyard.
(Cof E) Rydal - St. Marys Church
Built in 1824 on a site chosen with the help of William Wordsworth.
It was here where he and his family worshipped.
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