One of the Lake District’s prettiest villages is Grasmere, nestled in a vale just north of Grasmere and crowned by magnificent fells and mountains on all sides. This is romantic England at its purest: Northwest of the village is the rugged peak of Helm Crag (aka ‘the Lion and the Lamb’), while to the north is the ancient cairn known as Dunmail Raise. All around it are the scattered hamlets and farmsteads, while dense woodlands and lush meadows fringe the lakes of Grasmere and Rydal Water and Loughrigg Tarn.
Hardly surprising that painters, poets, writers and craftsmen were drawn to the area. Wordsworth described the vale of Grasmere and Rydal as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’, before moving here permanently. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey and Sir Walter Scott also stayed here, whilst the writer Thomas de Quincey moved into Dove Cottage on Wordsworth’s departure.
From the 18th century onwards, many artists journeyed here in search of ‘the picturesque and the sublime’, including William Green, John Constable and Turner. In more recent times, the Heaton Cooper family succeeded in capturing the changing moods of the Lake District in watercolours.
We look forward to sharing some delightful walks with you from our ideal location the Glenthorne Lodge
We have chosen Glenthorne Lodge for our accommodation and have rooms held until December 1st 2022. It offers comfortable accommodation in a relaxed, welcoming and peaceful atmosphere, and delicious home-cooked meals in stunning surroundings.
It is a long established guest house and meeting place in Grasmere. If you prefer to stay in alternative accommodation for the duration of the trips there are lots of other hotels to choose from in Grasmere but book early to secure your accommodation. The rooms are held under the name of Hiking Highs and Nicola Sproson. Please note there is no bar in this hotel but alcohol is allowed to be brought into the premises and drunk in the lounge area.
Rooms are on hold until December 1st from Sunday 9th July for 4 nights.
Accommodation costs for 4 nights £379 pp (3 x DB&B, 1 X B&B)
Dining out for one night
£10.00 per night fee is applied to twin/double en suite rooms with single occupancy.
Rooms available
2 double ensuite
1 single ensuite
7 twin ensuite
£40 deposit.
What is not included:
Dinner for one night
What is included
Guiding 3 x Mountain leaders
Packed lunches
A souvenir map
Treats along the way each day
A complimentary glass of your favourite tipple before dinner at Tweedies
Book your room by phoning Glenthorne Lodge on 015394 35389.
The rooms are reserved under Nicky Sproson – Hiking Highs and Samantha Armstrong WALX Derwent and Dales.
DAY 1
Mountain Day: 13km, 700m ascent
‘Easdale & Stickle Tarn from Grasmere’, weaving our way up past Sourmilk Gill to Easedale Tarn and up and beyond, taking a dogleg out to little Codale Tarn too on our way up and over the fell before dropping to Stickle Tarn, the famous swimming tarn on our Langdale break in 2021. We weave around and down the secret trods behind Blea Rigg before the descent back to Glenthorne.
Low level Day: 10km, 400m ascent max (can be less)
‘Easdale Tarn and exploring the Far Easdale Valley’ and the meandering Far Easdale Gill, with mountains all around towering above you. You will join the famous Wainwrights Coast-to-Coast route to return to Glenthorne and take a little detour into Lancrigg Gardens and a visit to Dorothy Wordsworth Memorial.
DAY 2
Mountain Day: 17km, 1080m ascent
‘Fairfield Horseshoe’ classic mountain route. This is a challenging day circumnavigating all the fell tops around Rydal Fell and the head of Rydal Beck. Along the way we will tick the following 8 Wainwright fells: Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Heron Pike & Nab Scar. this walk is not for the faint hearted and a big accomplishment to complete the route – an absolute classic Lakeland Horseshoe.
Low Level/Fell Day: 9km, 340m ascent (add on to the summit of Loughrigg Fell: 1km up & 1km down, + 200m ascent)
‘A Tour of Loughrigg Fell’ will circumnavigate the beautiful little fell, some may have the option to leap onto its summit too for magical views through Dunmail Raise Pass and down to Morecambe Bay on a clear day, and down the length of Windermere and out into Morecambe Bay. The Helvellyn Ridgeline looks so different from the eastern side too, and of course the Langdale Pikes too. For those exploring the forested fellside under Loughrigg as they tour around, you will pass the most glorious of Tarns, Loughrigg itself, it may just call you in for a dip! It’s a favourite swimming spot for many and quite beautiful with abundance of waterlilys and birdlife.
DAY 3
Mountain Day: 10km, 800m ascent
‘Seat Sandal’, a lesser walked and lovely fell, standing alone in the shadows of Fairfield and Dollywagon Pike, from the summit there are dramatic views down the Grisedale Valley to the west and down to Grasmere and beyond to the south. Mostly grassy ascent, with rocky sections towards the top, rewarded by a quick tour of Grisedale Tarn, yes the chance for a quick dip too, finishing the very short but tough ascent to the summit, once at the tarn you just have to tick the top! The descent is also a grass path although fairly steep, so steady away back to Grasmere.
Low Level Day: 11km, 350m ascent
‘Grasmere and Rydal Water’. After the shoreline path along Grasmere, this iconic low level walk incorporates a wander into Rydal Caves, and back down to Rydal Water, then heads for loop of the gardens at Rydal Hall, including the secret garden, the waterfall and grotto, and formal gardens too, before returning along the famous Ambleside to Grasmere Coffin Route steeped in myths and history. This walk can be cut short, to halve the route length, by jumping on the bus back from Rydal.
GUIDING COST: £275
Once you have secured your room, please advise Sam Armstrong who will register you for the trip.
Accommodation at this price is very hard to source in Grasmere, please book early to secure your room.
T’s & C’s apply and will be advised upon booking.
Please book via Sam Armstrong
sam@walxderwentdales.co.uk