Poets and Peaks in Literary Lakeland

Your departure point is Manchester, a buzzing cosmopolitan city packed with cultural attractions and some of the best restaurants in the country. Why not spend a few days exploring the sights before heading off into the wilderness?

Built in the Middle Ages by the local Strickland family, Sizergh Castle is more stately home than fortress with its sweeping landscaped gardens and 1,600-acre estate. Although the house itself doesn’t open until noon, you can still enjoy a stroll around the grounds, where topiary avenues, a rockery garden, and a mirror lake are designed to impress. Breathe in the scents of the fragrant kitchen garden, then refuel with a cup of tea and maybe a cheeky slice of cake in the café.
Sizergh Castle is owned by the National Trust, so if you’re a member, entry is free. For prices and more information, visit the official website.
Sizergh Gardens and Cafe Open Hours: April – October: Daily from 10:00 - 17:00 November – March: Daily from 10:00 - 15:30
Sizergh Castle Open Hours: April - October: 12:00 - 15:30 Wednesday - Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday November - March: Closed

After a scenic drive you'll come to the chocolate box village of Grasmere. Perfectly nestled in the park's central fells, Grasmere is named after the lake that it overlooks. The village was once home to English Romantic Poet William Wordsworth, and it's his house where you'll be stopping first.
Dove Cottage was the charming whitewashed home of Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, and it's where the poet was inspired to write some of his most famous nature-themed works. You can step over the threshold of this revered residence and experience a different century where the man himself lived, ate, and wrote. Back outside, you can explore the garden-orchard and wild woodlands, where Wordsworth did much of his creative thinking. Finally, pop into the museum to discover Wordsworth's remarkable life story, through manuscripts, paintings, and personal effects.
Visit the official website for more information and to book tickets for Dove Cottage. Onsite parking is available.
Wordsworth Grasmere Open Hours: Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays: 10:00 - 17:00 Monday: Closed

Continue into Grasmere and leave your vehicle in Red Bank Car Park in the centre of the village for easy access to all the sights on foot. Visit the official website for pricing details.

Keep your energy levels topped up with a tasty lunch at the Grasmere Tea Gardens, where homemade scones and toasted paninis come with a side helping of views over the River Rothay and the ancient village church. If it's your first time in the region, try a Cumberland sausage sandwich!

Continue into the village and check out the historic St. Oswald's Church, parts of which date back to 1250 AD. You can explore the nave, admire the rustic beamed ceiling rafters, and photograph the Victorian stained-glass windows. If you're after a slice of quintessential English village life, this ticks all the boxes.
In the adjacent parish cemetery, pay your respects to Grasmere's most famous resident at The Wordsworth Graves, before taking a stroll around the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden, which is at its best during Spring.

No visit to Grasmere is complete without following your nose to the famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. You can smell the sweet and spicy treats luring you in from across the village, so do swing by and see what the fuss is all about. The recipe is a closely guarded family secret, which was first created by local cook Sarah Nelson in 1854. The shop itself is tiny, with staff in Victorian dress adding to the charm.
Find out more on the Grasmere Gingerbread website.
Grasmere Gingerbread Shop Open Hours: Daily: 09:15 - 17:00

See Grasmere from a different perspective by heading out onto the water. After all, messing about in boats is one of life's greatest pleasures. You can hire rowing boats by the hour at Faeryland Grasmere, which is plenty of time to perfect your techniques and soak up those views.
Reservations are not required, so just stroll down to the shore and choose your boat, many of which have names. For rental prices check out the official website.

Return to the car park to collect your vehicle, ready for the onward adventure.

Leave the delights of Grasmere behind and continue your journey north on the A591 towards Thirlmere. You'll notice the mountains getting bigger, with sweeping views on both sides of the valley. Stop at the charming 17th-century Wythburn Church, which stands alone in the shadow of Helvellyn (the third highest peak in the Lake District). A favourite place of prayer for Romantic Poets William Wordsworth and Hartley Coleridge, this humble church and a few scattered dwellings are all that remain of the village that was submerged when Thirlmere reservoir was created in 1894. Inside, look out for the stained-glass windows and statement oak beams.
The church is always open for those who wish to pray, have a look around, or even shelter from the weather. There is a car park onsite - the turning is just before you reach the church.

The next stop on your ultimate Lake District adventure is Thirlmere's best viewpoint, which can be enjoyed from Swirls Car Park. Stop for photos then follow the short trail down to the shore for a leg stretch and more scenic vantage points.
Visit the Lake District National Park Authority website for car park details. There is often an ice cream van here in summer, and there are public toilets located in the car park across the other side of the road.

After a fun day exploring, you've certainly earned your dinner! The King's Head is a traditional 17th-century coaching inn that boasts a spectacular setting with Thirlmere to the west, and Helvellyn to the east. Inside, you can soak up the old world charm where exposed beams and log fires join forces with local ales and hearty pub food for an evening to remember. The King's Head is also where you'll be staying tonight, and many rooms have superb views of the fells.
Book a room online here then to make a dinner reservation call 017687 73331.