We had been talking about visiting the Lake District for some time. The perfect opportunity arose when we visited one of our tribe who was living in Oxford for a time. He had stopped off there on the way to Scotland in the middle of winter and was keen to join us to see its beauty in the height of summer. And, take us on one of the best hikes in the Lake District.
We made the drive from Oxford in a day, stopping for lunch and a walk around the city of Chester. Known for its Roman walls and tudor-style half-timber buildings of Chester Rows, the city was a convenient mid-point on our drive north with plenty to see.
Our decision to stay in the small town of Kendal on the outskirts of the Lake District was two-fold; we wanted to spend time around the Lakes and also the Yorkshire Dales. The Castle Green Hotel was the perfect accommodation decision. It provided a cosy sanctuary after our long days of exploring.
On the recommendation of hotel staff, our first hike took us from the township of Ambleside to Grasmere. Sitting at the head of Lake Windermere, the township of Ambleside is a short 20-minute drive from Kendal and worthy of spending some time wandering around its watermills, the Bridge House and pretty township.
A small path behind St Mary’s Church led us over a quaint bridge and up a gently sloping trail surrounded by farmland to a lookout over the expansive Lake Windermere. The trail then carried on downhill through luscious green pastures, around small lakes and along pebbled paths intermittently lines with old stone houses which seemed to have been part of the landscape for hundreds of years. We were even treated to several flyovers by British fighter jets as we arrived closer to Grasmere.
The village of Grasmere is known for hosting many poets, craftsmen and artists in its time. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Southey and William Wordsworth amongst others found inspiration in Grasmere’s beautiful surroundings. Wordsworth lived there for 15 years. You’ll find Wordworth’s family plot at St Oswald’s Church in the centre of Grasmere.
The beautiful surroundings are not the only reason visitors come to Grasmere. Chocolate from the handmade chocolate shop and the legendary gingerbread found at shops in the village are special treats to look forward to at the end of the walk.
We enjoyed an indoor lunch at a cute coffee shop followed by an ice cream cone from the booth directly outside. And, after an amble through the village, prepared ourselves for the return journey on an alternative route back to Ambleside where our car was parked.
The Lake District is known for its rainy disposition. Our walk from Ambleside to Grasmere had been accompanied by cloudy skies and we were not surprised to have the heavens open up on us as we walked to the starting point of our return trail.
With no sign of the rain easing, we decided to take the bus back to Ambleside.
Like our walk up the Old Man of Coniston returning to complete the Grasmere to Ambleside trail and enjoying some of the other trails is high on our list.
I’ve been to London a few times and next time I go back I’m really hoping to see more of the UK – definitely adding this to the list. It’s beautiful!
There is certainly much to see around the country. And, we definitely recommend spending some time in the north.
Very Nice Post I have never been to England although I would love to go. I also would like to go to Italy that is where my Mom is from. I like the picture of the church it is a good picture. I live in Alaska but was raised in Darien CT. The church in the picture reminded me of the one I went to in CT. I really enjoyed your story and I would have taken the bus back to town too. In August Alaska gets a lot of rain so bring your rain coats! I Prefer it did not rain but we can not control the weather! Keep up the good work and stay safe!
The weather didn’t dampen our visit. The Lake District is known for its wet weather, so we were lucky to have generally good weather during our stay. Love to visit Alaska at some time. Looking forward to reading some of your recommendations.