Grasmere

Grasmere is a small lake in the English Lake District, in Cumbria. It lies just north of the village of the same name, made famous by the poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy. The lake covers about 0.62 square kilometres and sits 62 metres above sea level. A single river, the Rothay, flows through the village, into the lake, and out again toward Rydal Water. The waters belong to the Lowther Estate but are managed by the National Trust. The lake’s single island, known simply as The Island, has special meaning for the National Trust. In 1893 the island was sold privately, prompting Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley to help found the National Trust. The name ‘Grasmere’ comes from Old English and Old Norse words meaning ‘grass lake’. Early spellings sometimes hinted at a link with pigs, but grass is the likelier source. Visitors find a quiet village beside the water, where Wordsworth once walked. The lake is open to rowing boats but bans powered craft. The Island sits near the shore, a peaceful spot reached by a short walk. The Rothay’s gentle flow guides visitors along paths lined with grass and stone. The scene stays gentle, with no steep climbs or crowds, just the quiet of the Lake District.