Grasmere in the Lake District National Park Grasmere has kept it's character despite being one of the Lake District's most popular villages. It is in a particularly lovely mountain setting, close to its lake with craggy hills all around. Grasmere was the home of Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy from 1799 until 1808, at a time that he composed some of his best known poems. Dove Cottage, where they lived, is open as a museum, with rooms furnished in the period. In the churchyard of the ancient village church of St Oswalds, beside the murmuring Rothay, are the graves of the poet, his wife and sister. Thomas De Quincey, who lived for a time at Dove Cottage is also buried here. Next to the church is Sarah Nelson's Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread shop, established 1854. It was once the schoolroom where William Wordsworth once taught for a short time. The village is a good central point to explore both south and north lakeland, with a variety of fine walks available to suit almost anyone. The summit of Loughrigg Fell, an easy walk provides some breathtakingly lovely views of Rydal Water and Grasmere. There are a number cafe's, pubs, gift shops and galleries in the village. The Heaton Cooper Studio opposite the green is well worth a visit. It contains the works of Alfred Heaton Cooper, a well known guide book illustrator, and those of his son William. Grasmere is thronged with extra visitors each August who come for the Grasmere Sports, games which include fell-racing, hound trailing and Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling which have been held annually since 1852.

Dove cottage Grasmere village

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