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Renowned British hotelier Andrew Wildsmith has utterly reinvented this old Victorian mansion just outside Grasmere, and it now feels more boutique chic than country cosy.
The whole place brims with luxurious materials and innovative design, as well as a playful sense of humour that makes it a pleasure to stay here. Rooms are spacious and luxuriously furnished, and the restaurant is one of the best in the central Lakes (and Michelin starred).
It’s a brilliant hotel for a romantic weekend away – and several rooms are dog-friendly, too.
Views of fells and fields unfold through every window at Forest Side. The hotel’s gardens and grounds are a pleasure; you’re free to explore, and perhaps have a wander around the delightful kitchen garden, which supplies much of the restaurant’s produce.
Walks abound nearby, with some classic fells in the vicinity: Loughrigg Fell, Helm Crag and the dramatic valley of Great Langdale are all waiting to be explored, while Wordsworth’s houses at Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount are both nearby too.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Grasmere, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[1.1 miles]
Take a guided tour around Wordsworth’s charming cottage near Grasmere to get a fascinatingly personal insight into the poet’s life and times – and don’t miss the brilliant museum next door.
Best for ages: 180+ | £12
Rydal, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[2.7 miles]
Wordsworth’s grand family home between Ambleside and Grasmere is an essential stop: it’s full of memorabilia, and offers an intriguing glimpse of the Wordsworth family’s daily life in the Lakes.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
Wasdale, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[12.7 miles]
Climb up to the highest point in England for a memorable view of the Wasdale fells – and a special sense of achievement. But don’t expect to be on your own if the weather’s fine
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | Full day
Ambleside, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[12.8 miles]
Beatrix Potter’s cottage is every bit as pretty (and popular) as you’d expect – and, for fans of her books, offers the chance to see some of the places that inspired her illustrations.
Best for ages: 13+ | £15
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Ambleside, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]
The region’s most picturesque and charming village. Grasmere is set on the shores of its eponymous lake and cradled by green fields and fells. William Wordsworth is buried in the churchyard of St Oswald’s – you can see the poet’s tombstone.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 hours
Ambleside, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[0.8 miles]
Sarah Nelson’s gingerbread is an institution in Grasmere: it’s been made to the same recipe since 1854. It’s wonderfully quaint – the frilly outfits worn by the shop staff are something from a bygone age.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free | 3 hours
Troutbeck, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[8.7 miles]
This traditional stone and slate farmhouse was home to local famers the Browne family for over 400 years. The house and family’s possessions have been preserved, showcasing rural life in the Lakes over the past centuries.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9 | 3 hours
Hawkshead, Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)[9.9 miles]
This small gallery in Hawkshead is located in the old office of Beatrix Potter’s husband, solicitor William Heelis. It holds regular exhibitions of her work, including her beautiful botanical paintings.
Best for ages: 10+ | £7 | 3 hours
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Cumbria, United Kingdom (UK)
Imposing mountains, wild landscapes, tranquil lakes and picturesque towns combine to make the Lake District uniquely beautiful, and one of the best places in Britain for walking, climbing, boating and biking.
