Historical Houses:
You may wish to consider a visit to these as part of your stay at the Glaramara Hotel. All of the following are within driveable distance in any one day:
Townend (nr Windermere):
17th Century farming cottage in the Troutbeck Valley, in the central Lakes,, Home to the Browne family for 400 years, this National Trust property is very well preserved. Step back in time and admire the detail including a large selection of original books from the era. Guided tours through the cottage and gardens are available.
Acorn Bank (Temple Sowerby):
Another National Trust property, this time in the east of the county, and described by them as a ‘Delightful garden renowned for its herbs and fruit orchards’ Other features include a partially restored watermill and a woodland walk through the estate. Although part of the house is open this visit may be better on a fine day.
Rydal Mount (nr Ambleside):
One of Cumbria’s most popular and well-known tourist attraction this delightful historic house was where the poet William Wordsworth lived for over thirty years (1813 to 1850). Features include viewing some of Wordsworth’s personal possessions amongst the decor and furnishings of the period. Set in gardens that Wordsworth designed.
Wordsworth House and Garden (Cockermouth):
Towards the west of the county but within easy driving distance of the hotel, is the house where William Wordsworth was born and spent the first few years of his life with his family, including sister, Dorothy.. Another National Trust property there are tours and talks on Wordsworth’s early life and that of Georgian England. Again, there is a lovely garden for you to wander around; this time on the banks of the River Cocker.
Mirehouse (Bassenthwaite Lake):
Even closer to the hotel, this stately home is situated the foot of Dodd fell close to the shore of Lake Bassenthwaite, Still occupied by the Fryer-Spedding family only part of the house is open at limited times, The gardens and woodland are extensive and lead you to the shores of Bassenthwaite. Poetry Walks, a Bee Garden and natural playgrounds add to the visit and the woodland is where Tennyson wrote his ‘Morte D’Arthur’ provide a haven for all ages.
Levens Hall (nr Kendal):
This family home south of Kendal is one of Elizabethan character with collections of artwork, furniture, and other items of historic interest set in ten-acres of gardens with topiary characters. In fact, it is part of a 9500 acre agricultural estate which helps to supply The Levens Kitchen and The Potting Shed Shop,
Hutton-In-The-Forest (nr Penrith):
This magnificent, sizeable and well preserved stately home has stood since the Medieval period. A mixture of architectural styles and periodic extensions provide interesting viewing for those with an interest in English history. The house is privately owned by the Inglewood family. The current Lord Inglewood has continued with improvements to the house and gardens which are part of the Hutton Estate, including turning the Walled Garden into the spectacular flower garden that we see today.
Holker Hall (Cark-In-Cartmel nr Grange-Over-Sands):
Home to the Cavendish family, this spectacular and grand stately home is set in beautiful award winning gardens which in itself part of the sizeable Holker Estate. A large section of the house, which has been in situ. in various forms for 5oo years, is open to the public. The house was substantially damaged in a fire in 1871 but has been very lovingly restored. It is in a very beautiful part of the world with Morecambe Bay close by with the Lake District Hills to the north. As is usual, the estate includes a café and gift shop,
Dalemain Mansion (nr Penrith/Ullswater):
Dating back to the 12th century, the privately owned mansion and gardens, again forming part of a much larger Estate, are well worth a visit. If the house itself is not enough its contents are widely recognised as being of national and international importance with collections of period furniture, ceramics and art along with everyday objects from the past and an award winning plantsman’s garden which has an extraordinary breadth and depth of plant varieties. It hosts numerous events throughout the year so if you time your stay at the hotel with one of those it may be worth looking into.
Allan Bank (Grasmere):
This historic 19th century villa, once home to William Wordsworth and later Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley is now a National Trust site and only been open to the public since 2012 and even now remains largely a blank canvas, The house has been stripped back but even if the house itself is not as interesting as others on this list, it is still a lovely looking villa set in the most exquisite countryside. There is a small, informal art gallery with a giant indoor mural space. There is, also, a small bookshop. Nearby Grasmere provides additional entertainment with lovely cafes, bars and restaurants for you to enjoy.
More details for all these activities can be found on their respective websites and social media channels.
