Grasmere & Rydal Mount: William Wordsworth tour with expert guide

Walk the villages and homes that shaped Wordsworth's poetry

A private half-day tour of Lake District landmarks tied to William Wordsworth's life, led by an expert guide through Grasmere Village, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount. You'll see St Oswald's Church where the family worshipped, the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, Rydal Hall Gardens with its 500-year-old Sweet Chestnut tree, and Rydal Water: the lake Wordsworth himself knew. Entry to Rydal Mount is included. Dove Cottage entry is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Grasmere
2. Rydal Water
3. Rydal Mount1h · entry included

Explore Wordsworth's Lake District sites

• Drive to Grasmere Village
• Visit St Oswald's Church and family graves
• View Allan Bank from outside
• Pass by Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
• Visit Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum
• Drive along Grasmere shore
• Pass Rydal Water and Nab Cottage
• Tour Rydal Mount and gardens
• Visit Rydal Hall Gardens
• See Rydal Church and Dora's Field
• Drive into Ambleside passing Bridge House

The experience

Grasmere Village is where the tour begins, with a drive to St Oswald's Church and the Wordsworth family graves, one of the most visited places in the Lake District. The village sits beside Grasmere lake, which Wordsworth called "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found": the small island in the middle was a place he often visited while living at nearby Dove Cottage. Your guide will show you the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, where Sarah Nelson invented the world-famous recipe in 1854, and point out Allan Bank on the hillside, where the family moved when their household expanded with three children in four years.

The route then follows the shore of Grasmere and passes Rydal Water, one of the smaller lakes, before arriving at Rydal Mount: Wordsworth's home from 1813 until his death in 1850 at age 80. The 16th-century house, enlarged by Wordsworth himself, remains owned by his descendants and retains the feel of a lived-in family home. Entry is included in your tour price. The five-acre garden, which Wordsworth designed as a keen landscape gardener, consists of fell-side terraces, rock pools and an ancient mound. Nearby, Rydal Hall Gardens feature formal landscaping by Arts and Crafts architect Thomas Mawson, a 500-year-old Sweet Chestnut tree with a 36-foot girth, and an oldest viewing house in the country, built in 1669 below the waterfalls.

You'll also visit Rydal Church, built in 1824 on a site Wordsworth helped choose, where his family pew still stands. Next to the churchyard is Dora's Field, bought by Wordsworth in 1826. After his daughter Dora died in 1847, he planted hundreds of daffodils there as a memorial. The tour covers some walking on uneven or wet terrain and uphill sections, so wear comfortable, waterproof shoes. Four hours allows time to move between sites and absorb the landscape that inspired his work, with an air-conditioned vehicle and live commentary throughout.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with live commentary from a knowledgeable guide throughout the tour.
• entry to Rydal Mount.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by English Lakes Tours

Is this one for you?The tour is led in English by an expert guide, so you'll hear detailed commentary about Wordsworth's life and the literary significance of each site as you move through them: ideal if you want context and stories rather than simply visiting the locations on your own.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What did Wordsworth write about Grasmere lake?

Wordsworth described Grasmere as "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found." The small island in the middle of the lake was a favourite place he often visited while living at Dove Cottage.

Is entry to Dove Cottage included in this tour?

Entry to Dove Cottage is not included in the tour price. However, you will see the cottage from the outside on the outskirts of Grasmere village, where Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy lived from 1799 to 1808.

What is included at Rydal Mount?

Entry to Rydal Mount is included in the tour price. You'll see the 16th-century house, enlarged by Wordsworth himself, and walk the five-acre garden he designed with fell-side terraces, rock pools and an ancient mound.

How old is the viewing house at Rydal Hall Gardens?

The viewing house below the lower waterfall at Rydal Hall Gardens was built in 1669 and is the oldest viewing house in the country. It sits in a wooded garden where water crashes over a series of high waterfalls down a rocky ravine.

Will the tour include walking on difficult terrain?

Yes, there is some walking involved on the tour, including uphill sections and terrain that may be uneven or wet. Comfortable, waterproof shoes are recommended, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What is Dora's Field and why is it significant?

Dora's Field is a plot of land next to Rydal Church that Wordsworth bought in 1826. After his daughter Dora died in 1847, he planted hundreds of daffodils there as a memorial to her.