LOSE YOURSELF IN SOME OF CUMBRIA’S
MOST INSPIRING LANDSCAPES
LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF GRASMERE,
A POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION
RIGHT IN THE VERY HEART OF THE
ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Grasmere is the ideal place from which to access all of the delights on offer in the Lakes. You’re spoilt for choice for walks amongst the fells. From the village you can start an ascent of the popular route up Helm Crag — known locally as The Lion and the Lamb, due to the shape of rock formations on the summit — to the Northwest, or take a longer trek up onto Fairfield to the East.
And due to it’s central location, Grasmere gives you access to a whole host of popular walks — from low-level hikes around the Cumbria’s stunning lakes, to some of the most stunning mountain routes in the UK.
Grasmere is also on the route of Alfred Wainwright’s popular Coast to Coast walk, and one of the alternative Coast to Coast mountain bike routes also passes through the village.
It’s the perfect location from which to explore everything Lakeland has to offer
Feel like taking it easier and exploring some of the Lakes cultural hotspots? Grasmere itself has plenty of places to explore, including Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum, and the Heaton Cooper Gallery.
If you’re looking for some tasty morsels, there’s a whole host of places to eat in the village, including some fine restaurants and some cosy, traditional pubs serving up fine local ales. And don’t forget to visit the famous Grasmere Gingerbread shop.
Since it’s so close to the village, it’s worth taking a stroll down to Grasmere Lake. You can while away the hours on the shore taking in the stunning scenery with a picnic, or in the shoreside tea shop. You can even get out on the tranquility of the lake by hiring a rowing boat.
And with other main towns like Ambleside and Keswick not too far, there’s so much more of the Lake District to explore. A regular bus service connects Grasmere with nearby towns and villages, so getting around is easy.
Skywatching can be a popular pastime in the area with many aircraft passing low over the area.
This is an A400 photographed by one of our recent guests Simon Galston.
We have a regular programme of art exhibitions at Thorney How.
Showcasing the work of mainly Cumbrian arists. All work is for sale.
Our current exhibition features mixed media and paintings by local artist Karen Babayan.
Thorney How has an ongoing range of events and courses organised with our partners for you to try.
From film nights to art exhibitions, creative retreats, hill navigation and wild swimming.
Check back here regularly for updates or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ or contact us directly and we can arrange something specific for your group.
Our film screenings are typically on Saturday nights starting at 8.30pm.
Food is also available from 6.30pm onwards.
Now a BFI Neighbourhood Cinema
To get regular updates and invitations to our film screenings:
Join Our ‘Grasmere Movie Nights’ Meetup Group
We hope to have some of the following films to screen in August / Sept 2017.
Joining us for food – we have our main weekend evening menu options available from £10.95 or £14.95 for 2 courses– please book ahead.
1st August to 29th October 2017
8-17th Sept 2017
Karen Babayan, C-Art Cumbria Artist of the Year 2016 explores the real Armenian family behind Arthur Ransome’s fictional ‘Swallows’.
Babayan will be showing a selection of work in mixed media, exploring the real characters behind Arthur Ransome’s fictional ‘Swallows’, in the context of her own family history, storytelling and mythmaking.
The exhibition runs until 29th October 2017.
Thorney How is open 2-7.30pm during the C-Art Festival 8-17 Sept (except Sundays) and 3.30-7.30pm at all other times.
Plus screening of the original Swallows and Amazons film.
Sunday 17th September.
A small buffet will be provided. Free, but please book. Donations in aid of Tsiatsan Textile School for children in Spitak, Armenia will be taken at the event. We recommend £5
Booking via Eventbrite
There’s plenty to explore during your stay in Grasmere and the surrounding area. We’ve picked out a selection of some the most popular local attractions and activities. If you’re looking for inspiration or advice on what to do during your stay with us, feel free to ask us for help. We’ll be happy to have a chat and give you some pointers on where to go and what to do — we want you to make the most of your time with us!
The Lake District has many cultural highlights, festivals and events. Discover museums, galleries and cultural attractions in all corners of the beautiful Lake District National Park that reveal the creative spirit of the Lakes.
Discover Lakes Culture >> 60 Second Film
Adventure Activities, Outdoor Courses, Activity Breaks and Outdoor Skills Training in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Summitreks provides adventure activities for Groups, Schools and Colleges, and Children and Families. Summitreks programme’s include: kayaking, Canadian canoeing, raft building, gorge scrambling, canyoning, aquaseiling, rock climbing, abseiling and adventure treks.
Dove Cottage was the home of William Wordsworth from December 1799 to May 1808, the years of his supreme work as a poet.
Take a fascinating guided tour of the cottage and explore everything the museum has to offer.
Tucked away at the corner of the churchyard of St. Oswald’s Church, sits this quaint little shop.
Each day visitors to the shop are greeted by the wonderful aroma of freshly baked gingerbread and an atmosphere that’s bursting with tradition.
In 1937 William Heaton Cooper bought a piece of land just off the village green in Grasmere. It was here he intended to build his Gallery and home. By 1938 the project was complete, funded by the success of his first book, Hills of Lakeland.
Today, the Studio is composed of three galleries exhibiting the work of the Heaton Cooper family of artists.
You will find many activities require pre-booking. If relying on public transport you should also check the relevant timetables and maps. things often take longer in the lake district
For bus timetables call Traveline on
For group transport Keswick Minibuses offer a 16 seater taxi service.
We’ve gathered together a list of useful links to websites which provide a wealth of information on the Lake District and things to do in the area.
The small village of Grasmere located in the heart of the Lakes is an ideal base for walkers, with a wide variety of hills and surrounding countryside there is going to be something suitable for everyone.
Around 30 walks listed here. Walks listing courtesy of – Walk Lakes
Faeryland Tea & Coffee Garden & Rowing Boat Hire
Rowing boats are available for hire for a maximum of one hour for up to four people. Pre-booking is not required. See website for further details.
South Lakeland, situated in the English Lake District, is known all over the world for its astounding natural beauty and unique, vibrant culture. This website is your guide to explore South Lakeland, the beautiful place we call home!
Cheap and free family friendly places to visit in Cumbria – theme parks, waterparks and swimming pools, museums, indoor playcentres and softplay for toddlers, petting farms, wildlife parks and zoos, aquariums, horse riding, castles, steam railways, pottery making and ceramic cafes, roller and ice skating rinks, karting tracks, snowdomes, dry and indoor ski slopes, climbing walls, activity centres, outdoor play at the best local parks, ten pin bowling alleys and all the other best family tourist attractions, that you can visit at the weekend.
See Family Days Out in Cumbria
To help you plan and make the most of your visit Go Lakes have an extensive and user friendly information network in place. Whether you require details on how to get here or how to get around, advice on what to see and do, or even what the weather is going to be like, you will find the information here at your fingertips.
The Lake District Show and Festival Calendar.
For your one stop information centre for fishing in Cumbria and the Lake District
Check out this Fishing in the Lake District Guide
Reviewed August 2016
The National Trust have some useful information on the Grasmere area, including detailed info on facilities and plenty of ideas of things to do and places to go.
Visit Cumbria is an independent guide to Cumbria and the Lake District, with a wealth of useful information on things to do around the whole county. They even have a guide for activities aimed at children and things to do on a rainy day.
Choose your own preferences and see what others think – lots of choice here.
Things to do in the centre of the Lake District.
With so many things to see & do, spectacular scenery, beautiful lakes, walking, cycling, climbing and fell running. Plus a whole host of activities, attractions, things to do and places to visit, to suit all needs and all pockets.
Plan your visit here Lake District Things to Do
Do you need to know where to find a Taxi or to buy some Healthy Food?
Try the Business Directory – MisterWhat!
Please note that we are not affiliated with any of these websites, nor do we endorse them — we provide this information in good faith as a way to help you find useful, relevant information for your visit to the Lakes.
Thorney How guest accommodation and bunkhouse is privately owned and managed by Taylor and Carolyn Nuttall since 2011.