Allan Bank
Once home to William Wordsworth and National Trust founder Canon Rawnsley, Allan Bank was rescued from the ravages of fire in 2011. Today, the house offers you the opportunity to see and touch the many layers of this home's fascinating history.
Plan Around Allan Bank
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Allan Bank Details
"The loveliest spot that man hath ever found." Not our words but those of William Wordsworth, though we are rather inclined to agree with him. Opened to the public for the first time ever in March 2012, Allan Bank is a place to relax in front of a warm fire with a cup of tea while the children play. The welcoming village of Grasmere is nestled with its two picturesque lakes against a dramatic backdrop of Lake District fells. It's the perfect place to come explore, relax, reflect and be inspired. The varied landscape surrounding Allan Bank welcomes outdoor enthusiasts and intrepid explorers of all levels, be it a relaxing stroll and a picnic around the shores of Grasmere or a hike to the summit of Helm Crag for a taste of the high mountains and fantastic views of the valley and lakes below. **The Origins of the Tale of Peter Rabbit** If it wasn't for Canon Rawnsley, you may never have heard of Peter Rabbit. The tale of Peter Rabbit started out an illustrated letter, but Canon Rawnsley saw promise in it and encouraged Beatrix Potter to get her tale published. He even tried to help when she was struggling to find a willing publisher by re-writing her story in-verse. **Potter and Rawnsley -- defenders of the Lakes** In 1882, the young Beatrix Potter holidayed in nearby Wray Castle with her parents. They entertained many eminent guests, including Canon Rawnsley. His views on preserving the natural beauty of Lake District had a lasting effect on Potter, who was already taken with the area. He was the "defender of the Lakes" and an authority figure of an entirely different sort to her parents. Potter became a disciple of the land conservation and preservation ideals of her long-time friend and mentor and she supported the efforts of the National Trust to preserve not just the places of extraordinary beauty but also those heads of valleys and low grazing lands that would be irreparably ruined by development. Their shared legacy has played a huge part in shaping the Lake District that we know and love today. Grid Reference: NY 33070 07781 Address (near): Allan Bank, Grasmere, Ambleside LA22 9QB, UK
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Grasmere
Nearby Parks Around Allan Bank
Compare nearby parks around Allan Bank when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Allan Bank
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Allan Bank while the map context is still fresh.
0.2 mi away
Grasmere Hikes
The village of Grasmere sits near the center of the Lake District and is the starting point for several popular hikes.
0.5 mi away
Wordsworth's Grave
St. Oswald's Church is the final resting place of the renowned Romantic poet William Wordsworth.
0.7 mi away
Grasmere Sports
The Annual Grasmere Lakeland Sports, now celebrating more than 165 years of existence, has been a regular annual event since 1868, unbroken except for the two periods of the First and Second World Wars.
0.8 mi away
Jerwood Centre, Grasmere
The Jerwood Centre, adjacent to the Wordsworth Museum, is an award-winning building holding the manuscripts, books and paintings not on show in the museum. It was opened in 2005 by the poet and Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney.
0.8 mi away
Dove Cottage
William Wordsworth's home is the only place in the world to see his personal belongings.
