6 Things to do in Grasmere in the Rain
Being the wettest county in England, we’re used to getting rained on up here in Cumbria. Of course, you might be one of those people who enjoys testing the waterproofness of their boots by going for a hike when it’s hoying down. But it’s not for everyone.
Happily, there are plenty of other things you can be doing between showers in the Lake District – here are a few of…
Our favourite things to do in picturesque Grasmere when the heavens open
1. Visit the Heaton Cooper Studio
If it’s a bit too wet to get out and about to see the splendour of the Lake District in person, the next best thing to do is look at the landscape in artistic form. The Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere is home to paintings by the renowned Heaton Cooper family of artists and others, including many stunning views of the English Lake District.
With three galleries to explore, and a changing programme of exhibitions, you can also buy framed, loose or mounted prints of the works on show, and pick up art supplies and books in the shop. And if it’s still raining when you’ve been round the galleries, there’s also the splendid on-site café, Mathildes, where you can tuck into some freshly made, locally sourced food while you wait out the worst of the weather.
2. Buy a Jigsaw from Barney’s Newsbox
If the weather forecast is on the unpleasant side for the evening – we’re talking too bad to even venture out to the pub and have a few pints unpleasant – then we think a daytime visit to Barney’s Newsbox might be a good idea.
Packed to the rafters with sagging shelves full of thousands of jigsaw puzzles on every subject under the sun (sorry, did we mention the sun?), how about picking up a puzzle or two and retreating back to your holiday cottage? Crank up the heating, pour some wine, put some music on, clear a space on the table and start putting those pieces together.
3. Have a Spa Day
The rain-soaked fells can wait. For today you pamper. At the Daffodil Hotel and Spa, you can go for a dip in the thermal pool, relax in the sauna and steam room, enjoy a therapeutic massage, indulge in a treatment or two – there’s an extensive list to choose from – and come away feeling more relaxed than you’ve ever felt in your life.
And afterwards, you can spoil yourselves some more and stay for a luxury afternoon tea, a drink and something to eat in the lounge, or hang out in the lobby bar sipping a glass of Champagne. Oh, is it still raining? We hadn’t noticed.
4. Duck into Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Grasmere
Wordsworth lived in a few different places in Grasmere and nearby Rydal, and a Wordsworth tour is an ideal way to spend a rainy day. William lived in Dove Cottage for nine years with his sister Dorothy, his wife Mary and three of their children, and wrote many of his famous poems there. The house remains much as it was in Wordsworth’s day. When the Wordsworths outgrew Dove Cottage, they moved into Allan Bank – now owned by the National Trust, before finally settling at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth’s favourite home and where he lived with his family for 46 years.
Wordsworth Grasmere is a fascinating museum dedicated to Wordsworth’s life and work. There you can look at his handwritten manuscripts, journals, letters and personal items. And, as well as regular readings and events, there are also things you can get hands-on with, such as the working printing press and quill and ink writing. There’s a gift shop and café on site too if you want to prolong your visit until the skies clear.
5. Go See a Waterfall
Now it is time to get wet, because the best time to see a waterfall is during or just after heavy rainfall as the cascading waters roar louder and faster. At least if you head to Rydal Falls, hidden in the woodland grounds of Rydal Hall, you can stay under cover and look at the falls from The Grot – a simple stone viewing station built in the 17th century.
If you’re feeling a bit hardier, you can hike up to the quirkily named Sour Milk Ghyll. It only takes about 30 minutes from the centre of Grasmere on the signposted route to Easedale Tarn, which the falls tumble out of. It’s a fairly steep walk and can be quite slippery when wet so make sure you’re wearing your sturdiest walking boots.
6. Head Out For a Hike Regardless
If you do decide to embrace the rain and go for a proper hike anyway, make sure you’re properly equipped – there are outdoor shops in the village if you’ve forgotten anything – and keep an eye on the weather forecast before you set off. Even the most experienced hikers and climbers can come a cropper in bad weather, so keep to well-signposted routes, don’t go out in the dark, and tell someone where you’re going. Us? We’re going to the pub.
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