Rydal Water and Grasmere are the two lakes most associated with William Wordsworth. Wordsworth lived near these lakes between 1799 and 1850 – firstly at Dove Cottage and later at Rydal Mount. He wrote some of his best-known works during this time and hosted many literary friends including Coleridge.
Rydal Water sits at the foot of Loughrigg Fell. There are a number of low level walks you can do – along the shore or up to Rydal Cave. There is also a circular walk that starts near Rydal church and takes the “Coffin route” through the woods above the lake, dropping down to pick up the lake shore path.
In autumn there are splendid reflections of the autumn colours and you can picnic on the lake shore looking across to White Moss. There are usually cormorants to watch on a rocky outcrop near Heron Island.
