Grasmere

Infobox lake
lake_name = Grasmere
image_lake = Cumbria 2007 015.jpg
caption_lake = View from Loughrigg Terrace
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Lake District, Cumbria
coords = coord|54|27|N|3|01|W|region:GB_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = River Rothay
outflow = River Rothay
catchment =
basin_countries = England
length = 1.24 km
width = 622 metres
area = 0.62km²
depth =
max-depth = convert|23|m|ft|0
volume =
residence_time =
shore = 4.11 km
elevation = 61 metres
islands = 1
cities =

Grasmere is a village in central Cumbria, England. It is also the name of the adjacent lake. Grasmere's position in the centre of the English Lake District, as well as its connections with the Lake Poets, has made it popular as a tourist destination. Fact|date=February 2007 The poet William Wordsworth, who lived in Grasmere for fourteen years, described it as "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found". [http://www.roadtrip.co.uk/lakesdistr.htm Retrieved on 2008-02-01]

Geography

The village is overlooked by the small rocky hill of Helm Crag, popularly known as "The Lion and the Lamb" or the "Old Lady at the Piano", depending on which side you view it from. These names are derived from the shape of rock formations on its summit. [http://www.lakestay.co.uk/helm.htm Retrieved on 2008-02-07]

The A591 connects Grasmere northwards over Dunmail Raise to the Vale of Keswick and southwards to Ambleside.

Communal events

Rushbearing

Grasmere's famous Rushbearing Ceremony has ancient origins. The present day ceremony is an annual event which features a procession through the village with bearings made from rushes and flowers. In this procession there are also six Maids of Honour, a brass band, the church choir, and anyone who wishes to join in by carrying their own decorated rushbearing.

Grasmere Sports

In August, Grasmere holds Grasmere Sports which have been running since 1852. This is the main event in Grasmere's calendar and one of the most popular traditional events in the Lake District. Events at Grasmere Sports include Cumberland Wrestling, fell running and hound trails (also known as drag hunting). [http://www.grasmere.com/events.htm Retrieved on 2008-02-03]

Government

The former civil parish was for a time governed by an urban district council before becoming part of the Lakes UDC in 1934. The village is now part of Lakes parish. Grasmere has experienced population decline since the 1960s. [http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/Content/Internet/536/642/378309363.pdf Retrieved on 2008-02-07]

Famous (former) inhabitants

*William Wordsworth lived in Dove Cottage, in the hamlet of Townend, on the outskirts of Grasmere, from 1799. He occasionally used to breakfast with Sir Walter Scott at The Swan, a seventeenth century coaching inn that is still in use in the village. In his poem "The Waggoner", Wordsworth asks "who does not know the famous Swan", a line which is quoted on the Swan's pub sign to this day. In 1808 he sold Dove Cottage to his friend Thomas de Quincey and moved to a larger house in the village, Allan Bank, where he lived until he moved to Rydal Mount, Ambleside in 1813. He is buried in the graveyard of St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere, alongside his wife, Mary and their family. His sister, Dorothy, is also buried alongside him. [http://www.roadtrip.co.uk/lakesdistr.htm Retrieved on 2008-02-05]
*Samuel Taylor Coleridge also spent time at Dove Cottage and is said to have muttered stanzas from his poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" whilst walking across the fells to Grasmere. [http://www.roadtrip.co.uk/lakesdistr.htm Retrieved on 2008-02-06]
* Sarah Nelson was the original maker of the famous Grasmere Gingerbread, made to a secret recipe kept within the family to this day. The shop remains in the former village school, adjacent to St Oswald's Church . [http://www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk/ Retrieved on 2008-01-01]
* Sting and his wife Trudie Styler have a house in the area.
* World-renowned story-teller Taffy Thomas has lived in the village for many years having moved from his native Somerset. [http://www.taffythomas.co.uk/]

References

External links

* [http://www.grasmere.com Grasmere.com]
* [http://www.grasmerecumbria.co.uk/gallery/c1.html Photographs & Images of Grasmere]
* [http://www.ukattraction.com/cumbria+lake-district/grasmere.html Tourist attractions in Grasmere]
* [http://www.english-lakes.com/grasmere.html Illustrated guide to Grasmere]
* [http://www.lakestay.co.uk/helm.htm Lakestay - Grasmere Walk]
* [http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/Content/Internet/536/642/378309363.pdf South Lakeland - Ward Profiles]