Page 204 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

202 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

VISITING AMBLESIDE
9 Rydal Mount the A593 towards Coniston, fork left
Parking Rydal, near Ambleside; LA22 9LU onto the B5286 to Hawkshead. Park in
Pay-and-display car park on the right William and Mary Wordsworth moved the pay car park outside the village.
on the drive into town. to 16th-century Rydal Mount (closed
Tourist Information Jan; Mon & Tue in winter & Dec 25–26;
Central Buildings, Market Cross The Lake Poets
LA22 9BS; 015394 32582; 015394 33002; www.rydalmount.co.uk) in The first mention of the Lake School
www.visitcumbria.com 1813, with three of their children (two of poetry – Romantic poets who
had died the previous year), William’s
WHERE TO STAY lived in the Lake District – appeared
sister Dorothy, and sister-in-law Sara. It in 1817. These were Samuel Taylor
AMBLESIDE was to be his home for the last 37 years Coleridge, Robert Southey and
Elder Grove moderate of his life. Use a guide leaflet to tour the William Wordsworth, although
This friendly guesthouse has house and garden and see touching Wordsworth alone was born here.
knowledgeable hosts and is renowned relics such as the poet’s leather picnic Much of his poetry was confessional
for extensive and delicious breakfasts. box, and correspondence concerning and autobiographical – highly
Lake Road, LA22 0DB; 015394 32504; original in its day. His Daffodils, a
www.eldergrove.co.uk his appointment as Poet Laureate. delirious evocation of spring beauty
Walk to nearby Rydal Water, one of in the Lakes, is probably his best-
High Wray Farm moderate Wordsworth’s favourite places. known poem and one of the most
Peaceful and traditional farmhouse loved in the English language.
B&B 5 km (3 miles) south of Ambleside, ª Continue on the A591 to Ambleside,
with brass beds in all three rooms. find pay parking on right.
Lovely views.
High Wray, LA22 0JE; 015394 32280; 0 Ambleside q Hawkshead
www.highwrayfarm.co.uk
Cumbria; LA22 9BS Cumbria; LA22 0NT
HAWKSHEAD A favourite destination for walkers, This is a charming village, with pretty
Yewfield moderate Ambleside lies at the heart of the cottages, an old Court House, and
Peaceful vegetarian guesthouse set Lake District National Park and the Beatrix Potter Gallery (closed Nov–
in extensive grounds. The Tower suite abounds in pubs, restaurants and mid-Feb) devoted to the children’s
has the best views. hotels. It was here that Wordsworth author, with some of her original
Hawkshead Hill LA22 0PR; 015394
36765; www.yewfield.co.uk carried out his job as distributor of artwork. For eight years from 1779,
stamps. Visit Ambleside Sheepskins Wordsworth was one of 100 boys
(see right), and the tiny 17th-century attending Hawkshead Grammar
Below top left Terrace of Victorian stone Bridge House, built on the old School (closed Nov–Mar; Sun). You
B&Bs, Ambleside Below top right Rydal packhorse bridge. In this 4 x 2 m can see where he (allegedly) carved
Water, one of the smallest lakes in the area (13 x 6 ft) former apple store, Mr his name on a desk. Nearby is the
Below left The Old Corn Mill, Ambleside, and Mrs Rigg brought up six children vast Esthwaite Water, described in
dating back to 1680 Below right Rydal in the 1850s. Wordsworth’s Prelude as “our little
Mount, Wordsworth’s final home ª Start off on the A591, turn right for lake”, stocked with fish and popular

Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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