Manchester Evening News, Dan Thompson

December 17, 2011

The Lake District and its breathtaking scenery have played muse to some of English literature’s greatest and most revered writers.

It was here that William Wordsworth was inspired by the sight of daffodils on the shores of Ullswater to write I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud – one of the most well-known poems penned in our language.

And it was here too that Beatrix Potter spent a great deal of time writing and illustrating her much-loved children’s stories.

It’s not hard to see why the district has proved to be so inspirational. Dramatic but peaceful, its rolling hills and picturesque, calming waters make it a perfect place to get lost in thought.

Wordsworth, born in Cockermouth in 1770, spent most of his 86 years in The Lake District – first as a schoolboy at Hawkshead, before moving to Grasmere and then Rydal Mount.

He produced some of his best works in Grasmere after moving there to live into the small Dove Cottage with his sister Dorothy in 1799.

The cottage is still there today and is beautifully preserved, with Wordsworth’s original furniture still inside – including his favourite writing chair.

The cottage has become an award-winning attraction and the intriguing guided tours come recommended.

Wordsworth moved his wife Mary into Dove Cottage after they married and they lived in Grasmere until 1813. The poet and his wife are buried in the village churchyard, a cemetery that is next to a shop selling Grasmere’s other claim-to-fame – the delicious Grasmere Gingerbread.

It is freshly made in the shop, staying true to inventor Sarah Nelson’s 150-year-old secret recipe, and a slice is a perfect way to keep you going while you take in the rest of the quaint little village.

Grasmere is a truly beautiful place, one of the prettiest in the Lake District. It’s difficult to disagree with Wordsworth’s famous quote, that it is ‘the loveliest spot that man hath found’.

And these words are understandably used to promote The Wordsworth Hotel – an excellent country house in the heart of Grasmere.

The 38-bedroom hotel, next door to the gingerbread shop, is under new ownership after it was taken over by Iain and Jackie Garside, who have returned what was an ageing hotel to its former splendour.

They have 30 years experience of owning and running Lakeland hotels – and it shows here. The hotel has undergone a makeover and the result is clean, crisp and well-executed. The outside of the building is impressive, the inside decorated in a modern, country house-style.

The Wordsworth Hotel is family-run, perhaps the reason why it feels so homely and warm. It also has a superb restaurant with a menu bursting with local ingredients – including trout from Bessy Beck and Lyth Valley lamb.

The head chef Jaid Smallman has recently joined from the nearby, Michelin starred restaurant The Samling. His food is beautifully-presented and tastes fantastic.

The restaurant’s quality is borne out by its popularity – there don’t seem to be any spare tables available on a Friday night.

The hotel also has a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, and with rooms reasonably-priced too, it is an ideal base for a stay in Grasmere.

THE million pound estate of a remarkable Lakes woman is providing much-needed affordable homes in Grasmere.

Joan Nicholson – who served at legendary code-breaking Bletchley Park – was determined to help homeless families in the village.

But, in keeping with her wartime service, she kept her plan secret from everyone.

The first anyone in the village knew about her legacy was at the reading of her will after she died, aged 87, last year.

Now, in the first phase of a housing project, the keys to her former Grasmere home are being presented to a local couple Tomorrow, trust president Lord Inglewood will hand over Cragfoot Cottage to Mark Broomhead, 45, and Lisa Timpson, 36, whose family have lived in Grasmere for six generations.

The pair, both in business in the village, had struggled for years to find a suitable place at an affordable rent. They said Miss Nicholson’s legacy had ‘made a dream come true’.

“It’s almost impossible to find somewhere to live. Locals have little or no chance of staying in their home village as rents and property prices are sky high,” said Lisa.

“We had been living in a tiny, ex-holiday let, so beautiful Cragfoot Cottage and its stunning garden are unbelievable. We are incredibly lucky.”

Father-of-two Mark runs his own painting and decorating firm and employs two local people. He has lived in Grasmere for 27 years. Lisa owns Lime beauty rooms at the Wordsworth Hotel and has a girl from the village working with her. She said: “It was very important we stayed in the village, but it was looking unlikely with affordable housing being virtually non-existent.

“Local communities are losing their traditional values and people are having to move away from their home villages and families. “Community spirit and local people are becoming a rare breed, which is why the housing trust’s work is vital.”

A link with Miss Nicholson comes courtesy of an old sideboard found in a garden shed, now restored and given pride of place in the house.

CONGRATULATIONS

We are delighted to announce the our Manager Catalin and his wife Ionela welcomed son Luca Augustin to the world on the 1st October at 6pm weighing 3.93Kg.

Welcome Luca!

Two years ago, the Grasmere Crucible Community decided it wanted to open allotments in the village.

A ceremony on Saturday marked the official opening of the allotments that have been given to eight families.

Chair of the group Melissa Harwood said: “Everything we earn will go back into supporting the local community. We wanted to work on a project which would support sustainability for future generations.”

Owner of the Wordsworth Hotel, Iain Garside. donated land to the project and various local groups gave grants to help fund the project.

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