Grasmere & Rydal Water.   The Perfect Place

Grasmere and Rydal Water are located in the heart of the Lake District set in the valley of the River Rothay. Surrounded by green fells and oak woodland Grasmere is perhaps most famous as the home of William Wordsworth, but no less famous for its tranquility and beauty. Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount were former homes of Wordsworth and can still be visited today.

Walks in and around Grasmere and Rydal Water can either be at low level with excellent views along the southern paths with a longer, no less excellent, circular walk to include the Old Coffin Trail. High level walks include Loughrigg Fell, Helm Crag and Nab Scar.

The Grasmere and Rydal area is also an excellent starting point for the Fairfield Horseshoe and the Langdale Pikes.

How to get there

The villages of Rydal and Grasmere are three and four miles north of Ambleside on the A591 Ambleside to Keswick road. The waters of Rydal Water and Grasmere lie between the two villages; Rydal Water being the first reached from Ambleside and most visible from the roadside.
The main parking areas are the pay car parks in Grasmere although there are a couple of parking bays on the A591 between the two villages, but you'll have to be up early to get a space!

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OS Map Explorer Series OL7
Map Ref. NY347063
54.44878°N 3.00837°W