Buckstones Jump and other treasures of Grasmere and Rydal

Of course, you must visit Wordsworth Grasmere and go inside Wordsworth’s former home, Dove Cottage.

And you should make a pilgrimage to the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop to pick up some Grasmere Gingerbread.

But what about some of Grasmere and Rydal’s lesser-known delights?

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Grasmere and Rydal’s Lesser Known Delights

Within a short hop of these postcard villages you can find dramatic fells, mysterious caves, leafy woodland (watch out for red squirrels), wondrous waterfalls and even take in an easy walk around the lake.

Here’s our guide to the top 6 best-kept secrets to visit during your stay in Grasmere or Rydal.

See red at Allan Bank
Have a drink, spot a badger
Do go chasing waterfalls
Buckstones Jump
The last piece of the puzzle
A loop of the lake

See red at Allan Bank

Another one of William Wordsworth’s former homes, Allan Bank (a ten-minute walk from the village) is now owned by the National Trust and contains a gallery and indoor mural space.

But its main attraction is the surrounding woodland with its walks, secret hideaways and stunning views of the lake and fells.

If you’re lucky, you might even get to see a red squirrel or two (if you’re really keen to spot a red, here’s our guide to the best places to see red squirrels in the Lakes).

Pour yourself a cuppa (it’s free and self-service once you’ve paid your entry fee), settle down on one of the benches in the garden – and wait.

Have a drink, spot a badger

Head to the Glen Rothay Hotel, about two miles from Grasmere, grab yourself a drink from the appropriately named Badger Bar, and keep an eye out for the furry black and white residents who live in the woodland behind the hotel.

They mostly come out as the night starts to draw in, so what better way to round off a day exploring the surrounding area before you head back to your holiday cottage?

Do go chasing waterfalls

Warmed by the sun in the summer months, Sour Milk Ghyll (named for the swirling white water of the fall) makes for a spectacular place for a wild swim.

A not-too-taxing uphill walk from Grasmere, taking in some gorgeous scenery along the way, brings you out to a small, crystal-clear pool in front of a waterfall – the ideal depth for a relaxing dip as you take in the views of the forest and fells around you.

Find more of the Lakes’ waterfalls >

Buckstones Jump, Swim wild, swim free

A magical gem of a place, hidden away in the woodland below the shallow open water of Buckstones Jump (set off walking from the car park at Rydal Hall), Rydal Bower is ideal for wild swimmers with a sense of adventure.

Lying under a narrow gorge, with a waterfall tumbling over it, it’s deep (around four metres), on the chilly side, and has a cliff to jump from.

Come in the autumn if you’re brave enough and may be the only ones there.

The last piece of the puzzle

Looking for something to do on a rainy day?

A treasure trove for puzzle lovers, Barney’s Newsbox has been in business for over thirty years and is piled high with thousands (around 30,000 to be precise) of jigsaw puzzles of all sizes on every subject as well as toys, games and Lakeland souvenirs.

A loop of the lake

One of our favourite (mostly) flat walks in the Lake District, a walk around Grasmere is a must-do.

You can walk close to the lake shore all the way around and treat your eyes to some lovely scenery – and it’s relatively short at only 4.5km (2.8 miles) so it won’t be too long before you’re back in the village and ready for refreshment in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

Our tip is to venture away from the lake shore route and head up to Loughrigg Terrace, where you can grab yourself a splendid view over Grasmere and the surrounding fells.

If you’ve still got the energy, you can also extend the walk and visit the dramatic purpose made cave on Loughrigg Fell above Rydal Water.