Travel the paths of the most influential literacy icons, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats. Hear tales of their links to the Lake District and visit sites that inspired the wordsmiths of the Romantic period to create their iconic works.
The day begins with a visit to Wordsworth Grasmere to visit the “loveliest spot man hath ever found” Dove Cottage. The little white cottage was once an inn called “The Dove and Olive Branch” before becoming the home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth in December of 1799. Explore the house and beautiful gardens while discovering the history of one of the most iconic writers of all time. Enjoy the scenic village of Grasmere to visit the Wordsworth’s family Graves at St Oswald's Church located next to the historic Grasmere Gingerbread Shop where you can enjoy a sweet treat before departing north towards Keswick.
Upon arrival in the market town of Keswick you will have time to enjoy the panoramic scenery from the Neolithic site Castlerigg Stone Circle. From this point you will enjoy views of the famous Wainwright's: Skiddaw, Blencathra, and Helvellyn.
You'll then make your way towards the iconic Ashness Bridge, a local beauty spot offering views of Skiddaw and Derwentwater. The bridge was constructed in the eighteenth century from locally sourced stone. It was used as a crossing for pack horses transporting goods across the beck from Watendlath Tarn down towards Derwentwater. From here you will then make your way to the seventeenth century Yew Tree Inn where you will enjoy a locally sourced hearty meal and option of local ales.
The Yew Tree Inn opened in 1628 and was the ale house for the Miners who lived and worked up at Honister Slate Mine, the only working mine of its kind left in England.
After enjoying lunch, you will get back onto the winding roads along Derwentwater towards Ullswater for Glencoyne Bay which inspired Wordsworth’s most famous poem “Daffodils”.