Lakes

Civil Parish in Westmorland South Lakeland

England

Lakes

Broadgate, Grasmere Looking along Broadgate in Grasmere near the junction with College Street. — Broadgate, Grasmere Credit: DS Pugh

Lakes is a civil parish located in the county of Westmorland in the northwestern part of England. It is situated in the Lake District National Park, a renowned area known for its stunning lakes, mountains, and picturesque landscapes. The parish covers an area of approximately 26 square kilometers and is home to a small population.

Lakes is surrounded by natural beauty, with several lakes and tarns scattered throughout the area. The most notable lake in the parish is Lake Windermere, which is the largest natural lake in England. This attracts a significant number of tourists each year, who come to enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking in the surrounding hills.

The parish also includes several smaller settlements, including the village of Ambleside, which serves as a popular tourist destination with its quaint shops, traditional pubs, and charming cottages. Ambleside is also known for its outdoor activities, offering opportunities for hill walking, mountain biking, and climbing.

In addition to its natural attractions, Lakes is also home to historic sites and landmarks. The remains of a Roman fort, Galava, can be found near the village of Waterhead, providing insights into the area's ancient history. The parish also boasts numerous historic buildings, including churches, manor houses, and mills, adding to its cultural significance.

Overall, Lakes, Westmorland, is a captivating civil parish that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and historical charm, making it a sought-after destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Lakes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.461097/-3.018424 or Grid Reference NY3407. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Broadgate, Grasmere

Looking along Broadgate in Grasmere near the junction with College Street.

DS Pugh

The River Rothay, Grasmere

pam fray

The Millennium Bridge, Grasmere

Over the River Rothay on the Riverside Walk.

pam fray

The River Rothay, Grasmere

Children from nearby Grasmere School enjoying and exploring the river bed and bank.

pam fray

View from the Riverside Walk, Grasmere

Looking across fields to the A591.

pam fray

Dove Cottage, Grasmere

Dove Cottage is best known as the home of the poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy Wordsworth from December 1799 to May 1808, where they spent over eight years of "plain living, but high thinking". During this period, William wrote much of the poetry for which he is remembered today, including his "Ode: Intimations of Immortality", "Ode to Duty", "My Heart Leaps Up" and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud", together with parts of his autobiographical epic, The Prelude. The Wordsworth Trust bought the cottage for £650 in 1890.

pam fray

The Little Inn at Grasmere

In Red Lion Square.

pam fray

The Little Inn at Grasmere

In Red Lion Square. The wooden sculpture is displayed at the front of the building.

pam fray

A591 at Grasmere village boundary

Colin Pyle

A591 east of Grasmere

Colin Pyle

Cottages in Grasmere

A typical view of a Lake District village in the rain.

Jennifer Petrie

Derelict drystone building

Matthew Chadwick

Fallen tree along River Rothay making light work of the fence

yorkshirelad

Stepping Stones across Easedale Beck

Too icy to cross

yorkshirelad

Partway up Allan Bank, looking towards Goody Bridge

yorkshirelad

Dove Cottage, Grasmere

Dove Cottage is a house on the edge of Grasmere in the Lake District of England. It is best known as the home of the poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy Wordsworth from December 1799 to May 1808, where they spent over eight years of "plain living, but high thinking". During this period, William wrote much of the poetry for which he is remembered today, including his "Ode: Intimations of Immortality", "Ode to Duty", "My Heart Leaps Up" and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud", together with parts of his autobiographical epic, The Prelude. William Wordsworth married his wife Mary in 1802, and she and her sister joined the Wordsworths at Dove Cottage. The family quickly expanded, with the arrival of three children in four years, and the Wordsworths left Dove Cottage in 1808 to seek larger lodgings. The cottage was then occupied by Thomas De Quincey for a number of years, before being let to a succession of tenants. The cottage was acquired by the Wordsworth Trust in 1890 and opened to the public as a writer's home museum in 1891. The house is a Grade 1 listed building, and remains largely unchanged from Wordsworth's day. It receives approximately 70,000 visitors a year.

Colin Kinnear