For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

We were a little late away today as I had my 4 weekly blood pressure and blood letting appointment at the Doctors but we just managed to squeeze into a corner of the car park at Pelter Bridge around 10:15am. This walk is another of Edith's favourite low level walks and I must admit that I quite like it to although Grasmere when busy is not my favourite place.

Route

The car parked we walked up the lane passing Cote How on our right (l).  Cote How as an interesting history. The earliest know origins of Cote How are of a hexagonal tower which was extended in 1535 with the addition of an Elizabethan house complete with spinning gallery. In 1875 Cote How was sold to the Le Fleming family for £850, when it was let as two cottages and served as the first Rydal Sunday School. “Coatehow” as it was known derives from the word “cote” meaning shelter. It was here in Roman times where a lookout post was situated serving visitors using the old Roman road and ford over the River Rothay.

The metalled lane soon gives way to a rougher unmade track above the cottages and leads to a viewpoint over Rydal Water near Steps End. From here we will take the concessionary path to our left taking us past the old quarries.

Across Rydal Water Nab Scar is partly reflected in the still waters.

Our path, slightly rougher now. takes us past an old quarry at a lower level before reaching what as become known as Loughrigg or Rydal Cave of which A Wainwright said "there is shelter enough here for the whole population of Ambleside (although, admittedly many would be standing in water.".....Central Fells...Loughrigg Fell 7

Looking across Rydal Water to Nab Scar. Our return route is hidden in the trees.

Looking up the water to White Moss Common.

There's a lower path that more or less follows the waters edge but we are on what is known as the Loughrigg Terrace from which the views today are quite good.

Silver How ahead of us.

We ignored this path going down to meet the lower path.

A look back to Red Screes.

We had intended to follow the Terrace path to its end but seeing hordes of people on it decided to double back and down on the path to the right.

The path descends gently to the weir at the foot of Grasmere.

There is a slight breeze now so reflections, if any, will be poor.

Looking up Grasmere

The Great North Swim on Windermere had been postponed (later cancelled) at the weekend due to the prevalence of blue-green algae but there didn't appear to be any problems here.

I hope that camera is waterproof.

There were 4 young dogs swimming with the lady, all intent on wanting a cuddle which didn't appear to be that easy when swimming.

From here our route will take us along the shore of Grasmere for a while before a shortish road walk into Grasmere, the village.

Looking across Grasmere to Seat Sandal, Stone Arthur, Great Rigg and Heron Pike.

Silver How

Looking towards Dunmail Raise with Helm Crag to the left and Seat Sandal to the right. The island on Grasmere is unnamed This is the island of which Coleridge wrote, 'We drank tea the night before I left Grasmere, on the island in that lovely lake, our kettle swung over the fire, hanging from the branch of a Fir Tree'.

Pearson's Boathouse....despite a few searches I haven't found much out about its history apart from the fact that in 1950 rocks at the SE corner of Grasmere were blasted to lower the water level and prevent the lake from flooding the village. This produced small gravelly beaches on the west shore and explains why Pearson's boathouse no longer touches the water. The Pearson in question I believe is a William Pearson ( 1767 - 1847 ) a founder of the Royal Astronomical Society)

Easy walking, glorious views and a beautiful day.....perfection!

Helm Crag overlooks the village and water whilst a rowing boat moves from Faeryland makes it way across the water.

This is where we left the shore for a short road walk ....

....to Faeryland for tea and cake.

A pleasant setting

A view to Helm Crag. The smaller building to the right is Allan Bank where William Wordsworth lived for a couple of years from 1808. It was also owned by Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley one of the founders of the National Trust to whom it was left upon his death in 1920.

Now how often does this happen. You wait & wait for a quiet spell then just as you press the button someone comes right in front of you. Never mind, all are welcome in beautiful place.

Helm Crag and Steel Fell to the left of Dunmail, with Seat Sandal to the right.

Dove Cottage......Dove Cottage was the home of William Wordsworth from December 1799 to May 1808, the years of his supreme work as a poet. The cottage used to be an inn called the Dove and Olive and many of the building's distinctive features date from this time; its white-washed walls, flagstone floors and dark, wood panelling.

The path we are now treading was once a "Coffin Route" along which the deceased from Rydal and Ambleside were carried for burial in Grasmere. The stone shown is known as the "Coffin or Resting Stone" where a breather could be taken. There is another further along the track which as thoughtfully been converted into a more conventional seat.

White Moss Tarn.

The Coffin Route contours around the fellside before descending to Rydal.

Rydal Hall, a magnificent building in a gorgeous setting.

The lower falls of Rydal Beck (l) and the upper falls (r)

Time for another cuppa!!

We spotted this chappie in the garden of one of the cottages near Rydal Church. We have seen it (or one of its relatives) here a few times so I assume it is being fed.

Next Walk:      12th September 2010 - Lake District - Heughscar Hill and Moor Divock.

Last Walk:       7th September 2010 - Lake District - A Rydal & Grasmere circuit.

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