Nearly there….
As lockdown Three starts easing and holiday homes, non essential shops, outdoor seating for cafes and pubs and best of all hairdressers! are able to open again from 12th April the village will start to come alive again.
The daffodils are out in the daffodil garden and the only thing still missing is the smell of gingerbread wafting in the air but hopefully that will happen soon too.
We hope that visitors to the village will observe the country code. During the time between lockdowns last time there was a huge amount of rubbish abandoned in the village and on surrounding fells.
Let’s hope the sun shines and everyone can enjoy a great UK staycation.
Where better to visit after being stuck at home for so long than Grasmere Village. See you soon!
Cherry Blossom Time in Grasmere
Grasmere Cherry Blossom
I always think how much our Japanese visitors must feel at home in our village at this time of year as we do have some spectacular Cherry Blossom throughout the village, framing the views and proving an attraction in themselves.
Grasmere Churchyard Cherry tree
The Cherry tree in the Churchyard is a particularly beautiful one, especially when reflected in the River Rothay
Grasmere Churchyard Cherry Tree
White Cherry Blossom
Outside Heaton Cooper Studio and Gallery is a well established tree.
Cherry Blossom
Blossom with a view
River Rothay and Sakura
Falling blossom Grasmere
College Street Grasmere Petals
A beautiful time of year to visit our village, even when the petals start to fall for another year.
Grasmere Village 2018
Another year nearly gone. Another year where other commitments have overtaken writing my blog. Let’s have a look at what has been happening in the village this year through photographs I have posted on Twitter (yes I do still have time to do that so to keep up to date you could follow @grasmerevillage).
Mixed weather this year. Long periods of sunshine during the Summer then torrential rain in Autumn. Rushbearing Day was beautiful. Grasmere Sports Day was wet, wet, wet.
Our newly rendered church tower looked good in the sunshine, as did our new Farmers Market, which has proved a great hit with locals and visitors alike.
A snowy Dunmail Raise
Snowdrops at Wordsworth’s Grave
Cheeky Little Robin
Snowmen at the River Rothay
Broadgate Grasmere
Grasmere Co-op Joke
Grasmere Sports Field
Dunmail Raise
Grasmere Church
Grasmere Market
Grasmere Market
Heaton Cooper Studio
Designs on Japan Exhibition
Grasmere Maidens
Grasmere Rushbearing Maidens
Grasmere Rushbearing
St. Oswald’s Rushbearing
Grasmere Market
Grasmere Summer Weather
Broadgate Grasmere
Grasmere Sports
Hounds Grasmere Sports
Church Stile Grasmere
Tour of Britain Grasmere School
Tour of Britain Grasmere
Allan Bank Grasmere
Allan Bank Grasmere
Dancing on the green Grasmere
Lest we forget. Grasmere
Helm Crag Grasmere
Open Top Bus Grasmere
Broadgate Grasmere
St Oswald’s Church Grasmere
Allan Bank Evening
Rainbow Grasmere
Rainbow Sam Reads
Church Stile Autumn
Stock Lane Grasmere
Remembrance Day Grasmere
Allan Bank walk Grasmere
Allan Bank Walk
Allan Bank Tunnel
Allan Bank Tunnel
Xmas crafts Heaton Cooper
Gingerbread House
Grasmere Builds A Wall.
Unlike other places in the World which are talking about building a wall to keep people out, Grasmere has a new wall to welcome visitors.
The entrance to the village at Stock Lane has undergone many reincarnations in the time I have been here so it was interesting to go and have a look at the latest. First a few photos of how it has looked. Note how the Poets well has moved.
Junction Stock Lane Grasmere
A591 Junction Grasmere
We now have a rather poetic entrance to the village, with the building of a couple of slate walls inscribed with poetry by William Wordsworth.
Home at Grasmere
There are also seats on either side of the road, and a much needed litter bin.
New seating Grasmere
Crossing the road to Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Trust should be easier for pedestrians due to the new road layout.
A591 B5287 Junction Grasmere
Poetry Wall Grasmere
Since I took the photographs earth has been filled in behind the walls so hopefully we can look forward to some floral displays.
Below is a link to the original Cumbria County Council thinking. So far no sign has been put up pointing into Grasmere Village. As far as traffic and pedestrians go the season is just starting so time will tell how well the new arrangement works.
A Year in Grasmere Village 2016
Another year gone, and a round up of what happened in Grasmere Village in 2016. It was a year many won’t forget in a hurry. We might be a small village but there is always something going on. Especially this year, Prince and Prime Minister, Cyclists and Wrestlers it was all happening this year.
JANUARY
National Trust Allan Bank
After the stress and strain of Storm Desmond it was lovely to discover that a sunny photograph of National Trust Property Allan Bank graced the front of the 2016 Handbook. A great advert for the village.
Broadgate Grasmere
Unfortunately things were very quiet in the village. The main A591 closed between Grasmere and Keswick and the village literally a cul-de-sac. Various initiatives like free parking were offered but it really was deserted as you wandered round.
David Cameron Grasmere
We had a visit from the then Prime Minister David Cameron spotted in the school playground.
FEBRUARY
February in Grasmere
Snow on the tops in February and then on lower ground too.
Snowy Grasmere
Valentine’s Day visit to the Dove Cottage restaurant was a surprise with a cherry “heart” when I cut my cake. Very appropriate and tasty too!.
Valentine’s cake
Meanwhile the environment agency were dredging the River Rothay, taking care to not disturb the crayfish, and these canoeists were quick to take advantage of a new launching area into the river. Storm Desmond was still having it’s effect.
Canoeists River Rothay
After a dismal Winter signs of Spring were appearing with snowdrops and Daffodils at Wordsworth’s Grave.
Daffodils and snowdrops
MARCH
The rubble that was piling up on the Sports Field after all the dredging was a perfect viewpoint for this cheeky Herdwick.
Grasmere Herdwick
Elsewhere in Grasmere and throughout the central Lakes Herdwick sheep of a different kind were appearing as part of the Calvert Trust Go Herdwick fund raising initiative.
Grasmere Go Herdy
Temporary bridges were built on the A591 and a little mini bus started running between Grasmere and Keswick, my goodness it was popular! It ran along the far side of Thirlmere and became quite a tourist attraction in itself.
Keswick bus queue
We had another famous visitor. Prince Charles visited with a trip to the Gingerbread Shop, Wordsworth’s Grave and St Oswald’s Church.
Prince Charles
Prince Charles Grasmere
It certainly made the village busier.
APRIL
Spring in Grasmere
April and things were looking up in the village both visitor and weather wise.
Grasmere Daffodil Garden
MAY
An exciting initiative in May brought coloured lights to the mere. Nocturnal Rainbows as part of Lakes Ignite Art installation.
Lights on Grasmere
As the tourist season started properly it was still a case of getting the message out everywhere that Grasmere was open for business.
Grasmere is Open
Grasmere does look great in May, blossom and bluebells.
Grasmere Blossom
Bannerigg Woods were a sea of blue.
Grasmere Bluebells
And then at last! Dunmail Raise was open and Grasmere was connected with the North again. Hello Keswick we missed you.
Dunmail Raise reopens
Diessen Brass Band (twinned with Windermere) performed at NT Allan Bank and the music echoed through the valley.
Diessen Brass Band
JUNE
Grasmere celebrated The Queen’s 90th Birthday.
Grasmere Celebrates
The village looked lovely with flags flying everywhere.
Singing in the Village Hall
Grasmere Glee celebrated in the Village Hall.
Kendal Mountain Festival kindly brought outdoor cinema to Grasmere and Glenridding to support the flooded villages. The weather was kind and a great time was had by young and old alike.
Outdoor Cinema Grasmere
JULY
July in Grasmere means Rushbearing. A rather wet one this year and the Rushbearing Maidens had a rather soggy walk round the village but kept smiling.
Grasmere Rushbearing
But it wasn’t all rain in July, the sun shone too.
Sunny Grasmere
AUGUST
August Bank Holiday and the 166th Grasmere Sports and Show. After a night of rain morning broke fair and a good turnout of visitors and locals alike enjoyed the Sports and entertainment on the Sports field.
Grasmere Sports Poster
Competitors travelled from all over the world to compete.
Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling
Fire eating was a popular spectator event.
Fire eating Grasmere
SEPTEMBER
Cycling came to Grasmere in September when the Tour of Britain sped through the village.
Tour of Britain Grasmere
The village was decorated with painted yellow bikes.
Yellow Bikes Grasmere
OCTOBER
Devilish Sheep
Halloween in Grasmere meant an abundance of Pumpkins throughout the village.
National Trust Shop Grasmere
Unfortunately Halloween weekend itself was a bit of a washout and the pumpkins on the village green looked a bit bedraggled.
Gingerbread Pumpkins
Liked these pumpkins outside the Gingerbread shop.
NOVEMBER
Nights drawing in and streets empty by 5pm as the clocks change. Locals practice a form of reverse hibernation and suddenly you bump into friends in the street who have had heads down all Summer working hard to make our visitors to Grasmere enjoy their stay.
I was very, very lucky to win a holiday to South Africa for most of November so from 24 degrees to -4 degrees, however what a sight as we arrived back.
Grasmere Sheep
What a great welcome home!
DECEMBER
December in Grasmere, what a joy.
Taffy Thomas
You never know who will be about, Taffy Thomas former Storyteller Laureate was having a wander round the village with some student teachers.
Xmas in NT Shop Grasmere
The shops have a huge array of individual gifts you can’t find in the larger towns.
Beetham Bellringers
A wander up the hill to National Trust Allan Bank and the sound of bells were ringing out as the Beetham Bellringers played. Very festive.
Just time to put the Christmas tree complete with Herdy bobbles up and that’s nearly it for another Grasmere year. Grasmere Players Pantomime still to see, always a great family occasion.
Herdy xmas tree
Wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas and Health and Happiness for the coming year.
Tour of Britain 2016 Grasmere
It isn’t often I don’t know where to be in Grasmere! However yesterday I was literally up hill and down dale. The reason for my indecision? The Tour of Britain Stage two was heading though Grasmere.
Yellow Jersey Greipel
Setting up Sprint end in Grasmere
Tour of Britain Sprint Finish
Police escort
Grasmere Sprint Results
Greipel in Grasmere
Tour of Britain Grasmere Stage
While I like to take still photos, husband was in full slow motion filming mode.
Grasmere cyclists ToB 2016
Cyclists Tour of Britain 2016
Tour of Britain entourage
Knitted Grasmere Bunting
Grasmere Sports 2016
After a night of torrential rain it was a pleasant surprise that the weather for the 166th annual Grasmere Sports and Show was dry and fine.
Adamson Brass Band
Proceedings were given a rousing start by the Adamson Brass Band, always a crowd pleaser.
Young Runners Grasmere
Young runners first and there were plenty of entrants for the sprint and fell races.
Fell Race Route Grasmere
Meanwhile the crowds were being entertained by Andy Jester who was keeping everyone amazed by a bit of nifty fire balancing and eating.
Andy Jester
Breathing Fire
Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling is always an important part of Grasmere Sports and this year the 11 stone World championships were held in Grasmere. I spotted competitors from Scotland who call their style “backhold”. There were also competitors from Brittany France recognisable by the word Gouren on their tops.
Grasmere Sports Wrestling
Icelandic Wrestler
Icelandic wrestlers also took part. Their style is called Glima. Glima was the most widespread sport in the Viking age, and was practiced by both men and women. Glima was so important to Viking society that their god Thor was also the Viking god of wrestling.
More info at http://www.cumberland-westmorland-wrestling-association.com
French Gouren Wrestler
Time for a cup of tea or coffee, thirsty work this Sports watching!
Thelma the Tiny Tearoom
A new addition this year was Thelma the Tiny Tearoom, while old friends were also doing good business at the Coffee Bug. Too much choice.
Coffee Bug
Elsewhere on the field our very own Taffy Thomas the Storyteller was keeping everyone entertained.
Taffy Thomas Grasmere Storyteller
Further along the field the hounds were going through their paces.
Hounds at Grasmere
Hound trailing is a very popular event. More information can be found here. http://www.houndtrailing.org.uk
Fell gathers Roadshow
Animals of another type were also attracting attention. Herdwick and other breeds of sheep were shown and discussed.
Sheep Watching
It’s always good to see children taking part in the good old classic egg and spoon, Sack race and three legged race.
Three legged race
and parents like to get involved too. Balancing a bean bag was very popular with parent and child teams.
Family races at Grasmere
Of course the main feature at Grasmere are the Guides Races. An amazing feat as runners head up and down the fell side. This year there was a bonus £500 to run for, for both men or ladies beating the current records. No records broken this year so the money rolls over again to next year.
Senior Guides Race Grasmere
I really don’t think there is a finer sight than all the runners streaming up the fell side.
Grasmere Race close finish
It was an exciting race to the finish!
Guides Race Winners 2016
Well done Sam Tosh, Simon Bailey and Rob Hope.
The ladies weren’t far behind.
Female Grasmere race winners
Sharon Taylor, Steph Curtis and Ruby Sykes ran a brilliant race.
Grasmere Tigers
I noticed one of our oldest residents Mary watching the race. Wonder what she thought of the two tigers next to her? Mind you there have been reports of a large black cat like animal at Penny Rock so watch out!
While the race was on I had been keeping an eye on a special bunch of runners. I had met them earlier as they prepared to race for the Rosemere Cancer charity http://www.rosemere.org.uk
Rosemere Foundation Runners
Fresh and raring to go, they still had a smile on their faces right at the end!
Made it to the finish
A friend of mine Alison comes up from York especially to help at Grasmere Sports. She took this great photo of the Guides race flag the night before.
Guides Race Flag Grasmere by Alison Taylor
So it will be the 167th Grasmere Sports Next year to look forward to. We do however have another sporting event passing through the village this Monday. The Tour of Britain is cycling through Grasmere this Monday. Can’t wait as several Olympians will be taking part. Just got to decide where to watch it.
Grasmere Rushbearing 2016
Grasmere Rushbearing 2016 was rather a wet one. It became obvious fairly early on in the day that the rain wasn’t going to ease up.
Grasmere Rushbearing Maiden
With good spirit everyone dressed for the weather and started to parade through the town.
Procession passes along Churchstile
I thought the owner of Bridge House Hotel in the centre of this photo looked rather happy about something and later discovered she had become a Grandmother for the second time very early that morning!
Singing the Rushbearing Hymn
Normally everyone gathers on the village green to sing the traditional Rushbearing hymns but the ground was a bit soggy so a stop was made on College Street instead.
Grasmere Rushbearing Maidens
I couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for the Rushbearing maidens. While everyone else had the benefit of a waterproof coat they had to tough it out in traditional costume.
A rather wet Rushbearing
I noticed more than one person dashing in to Lucia’s for a takeaway coffee to warm up with.
Children in the parade
Time to head back to St Oswald’s Church
Bearings and Umbrellas
I think umbrellas brighten up the parade on a rainy day.
Processing down Church Stile Grasmere
Taffy Thomas the storyteller always has a good view point from the Storytellers Garden.
A welcome sight
Back at church and time to get inside and dry off before a welcome cup of tea.
Grasmere Rushbearing Parade
Now all the time I was watching there was one thing that I kept thinking. How heavy must the cloth the Rushbearing Maidens were carrying have got as it was absolutely sodden by the end.
Grasmere Rushbearing Maidens 2016
So well done girls you did a great job!
Anyone who wants to see photos of sunny Rushbearing parades need look no further than this blog. You win some and you lose some but no matter the weather the show goes on.
Prince Charles visits Grasmere
Could hardly not blog about our latest visitor to Grasmere, Prince Charles the Prince of Wales.
Prince Charles visits Grasmere
After a very quiet village for several months it was wonderful to see such large crowds lining the streets as Prince Charles came to Grasmere to show his support for the Lake District after the December floods.
Crowds gather in Grasmere
The local schoolchildren were very excited as they were led to the front.
Grasmere schoolchildren arrive
Next to arrive was a painted sheep! Throughout the summer you can spot these individually designed sheep in various places. Raising funds for Calvert Trust http://www.goherdwick.co.uk Pick up a Trail map from various outlets and see how many you can spot.
Herdwick Trail Sheep
And finally a car appeared round the corner
Prince Charles arrives
Flags were waving and there was an air of great excitement.
Prince Charles arrives in Grasmere
The Prince of Wales took his time and chatted to locals and visitors alike. Most amazing thing of all, till that point there had been a grey sky and drizzle all day, he arrived and the sun came out.
Sunshine for Prince Charles
Prince Charles was accompanied on his visit by Claire Hensman who is the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria.
Prince Charles and Claire Hensman
By this time the schoolchildren were getting really excited. Prince Charles headed over to them and he spoke to every single one. I was very impressed by how relaxed he was taking his time after a very busy itinerary all day.
Chatting to Grasmere Schoolchildren
The Prince also noticed a lady holding a large England flag and headed over to her to chat.
Chatting to the crowds
The sun was still thing and Prince Charles next went to the Grasmere Gingerbread shop.
Prince Charles visits Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
He seemed to be enjoying a joke with owner Joanne Wilson, then disappeared inside for quite some time. It appears he was having a try at slicing gingerbread in the kitchen, however the Gingerbread recipe is a secret! Even to Royalty.
Sharing a joke at Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
Now here is where the local knowledge comes in. Up until now I’d been balancing on the church wall, but jumped backwards into St Oswald’s Church grounds. Meanwhile everyone was waiting for Prince Charles to re-appear out of the front door.
Waiting for the Prince
But he didn’t he came out through the back door and made his way across the graveyard to Wordsworth’s Grave. He was met here by Michael McGregor Director of the Wordsworth Trust and I got a great view.
Director of Wordsworth Trust and Prince of Wales
It was wonderful that the Daffodils were out at Wordsworth’s Grave and Prince Charles took a little time for reflection.
Prince Charles at Wordsworth’s Grave Grasmere
Prince Charles then headed through the graveyard towards the church where he was viewing an art installation by the local schoolchildren. Chatting to various locals on the way.
Prince Charles in St Oswald’s Churchyard Grasmere
He spotted Grasmere Tea Gardens across the river and asking who owned it gave everyone sitting outside a cheery wave.
Waving to visitors in Grasmere Tea Gardens
Stuart Cunninghams a local shop also got a chance to chat about business after the floods.
Taking time to chat with local business owners
Then into the church.
Prince Charles Grasmere 23/03/2016
The Prince of Wales visiting was what we all needed. Everything was feeling more positive, people on the streets, Easter this weekend and the clocks changing this weekend too. Just the A591 to re-open at hopefully Whit Bank holiday and we can all breathe a sigh of relief and try to make up for the business we have lost. Grasmere is well and truly open.
Spring at Allan Bank Grasmere
A beautiful Spring day. As Allan Bank in Grasmere (a National Trust Property unlike any other) was open, I decided to take a wander up the hill and see what they were up to. This is the fifth year the property has been open and a while since I have written about it.
Beatrix Potter and Daffodils
The property is a short walk from Grasmere (disabled parking on site) and has the most glorious views of Grasmere. The sun was shining and the daffodils were out. Lambs in the surrounding fields. Paradise!
Allan Bank Grasmere
Grasmere school children were enjoying the grounds as part of their Forest Schools activities. It looked as though they were having an Easter egg hunt.
Allan Bank Art Room
The Art Room had been changed around over the Winter. Anyone adult or child can just sit down and use the art material provided to paint the amazing view out of the window.
Refreshing the flowers at Allan Bank
In the kitchen cafe one of the volunteers (they are always looking for more) Janet was making Easter floral arrangements to decorate the tables. Tea and coffee are by donation and you can wander around the house, tea in hand.
Roaring fire in Wordsworth’s Study
Or if you are lucky grab a seat beside the roaring fire in Wordsworth’s Study, pick up a book and relax.
Allan Bank was once the home of Wordsworth and his young family but was also the home of Canon Hardwick Rawnsley one of the co-founders of the National Trust. This is the 150th Anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s Life and Canon Rawnsley was an inspiration to Beatrix when she was a young girl. He encouraged her creativity and also encouraged her in her love of the countryside.
Beatrix Potter Quote Cushion
Scattered around the house were cushions with quotes. I particularly liked the ones in the play room.
Peter Rabbit Cushions
The play room was just waiting for little Easter visitors with books and toys to enjoy.
Playroom Allan Bank Grasmere
Allan Bank isn’t just for children. Upstairs is the Chorley Hopkins Mountaineering Library with a wealth of books on Mountaineering both in the Lake District and beyond.
Mountaineering Library Allan Bank
Just along the corridor is a craft room where visiting crafters sometimes demonstrate lace making, printmaking etc. There are lots of vintage board games in here too. Looking out of the window you can quite often see the resident red squirrels but none today.
View from Craft Room Allan Bank
Just time for a quick look in the little shop, but the grounds were calling. Sunshine in the Lake District can’t be wasted.
Allan Bank Shop
In the grounds there is a fabulous woodland walk with great views. It is steep in places but well marked and resting places to be found. I had a little seat to look at the mere.
View of the Mere from Allan Bank
Next further up the path with a glimpse of Helm Crag in sight.
Allan Bank Woodland Walk
And finally Helm Crag in all it’s glory.
Helm Crag Grasmere
Something that hasn’t changed this year, or for a long time before is the old Victorian viewing tunnel in the grounds.
Tunnel in grounds Allan Bank Grasmere
Time for a last cup of tea and tempted to cake by Sophie to round off my visit.
Tea and cake at Allan Bank
For more information about Allan Bank Grasmere see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allan-bank-and-grasmere
Follow them on Facebook. National Trust Allan Bank or Twitter. @AllanbankNT
My previous Blogs with the history of Allan Bank.
GRASMERE VILLAGE, ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT 