Begin your route next to the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, going through the lych gate and walking south,
towards the church.
The path will take you to the third grave on your left; follow this church path alongside the river
Rothay, leaving the churchyard and turning left. Take Stock Lane until you come out on the main A591,
crossing the road at the roundabout (make sure your owner's careful, they can be just as bad as those
blasted cats when it comes to road-crossing). When safely across, go along the lane opposite, passing
the Wordsworth Trust building, the Jerwood Centre, Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum.
Carry on past Dove Cottage until you reach How Top Farm. Take in all the new smells then carry on along
the road that's marked ‘Path to Rydal' until you reach two cottages and the path ends. Carry on straight
ahead (this means ignoring the path that veers off to the right, regardless of how interesting it smells
down there) and go through three gates. You'll see a stone seat.
Follow the pathway and keep your eyes peeled for the interesting birds that nest in the Nab Scar crags
below the path. If your owner starts getting all excited, they've probably seen a buzzard or a peregrine
falcon, but don't worry, they still prefer you.
Lead your owner on until you come to a T-junction, where you'll need to go right, past Rydal Mount and
Gardens. The road drops down quite steeply here, so take a moment to watch your owner doing a silly
half-run half-walk. Turn down the first left you come to, going round behind Rydal Hall. You'll pass a
teashop here so now's a good time to look hungry.
Go through the gate at the end of the driveway, turning left and going down another steep hill. Have a
go at doing that silly walk yourself.
Soon, a church gate will appear on the right, so why not liven things up for your owner by getting in
the way while he or she tries to open it?
Scamper through the churchyard and into a field. This isn't just any field, however: Dora's Field was
planted full of daffodils in honour of Dorothy “Dora” Wordsworth by her brother, William Wordsworth,
after she died of tuberculosis.
Head back to the steep hill and turn right, going down it. You'll come to the A591, which you should
cross before turning left and walking a short way beside the A591.
Coming up is Pelter Bridge. Cross this and lead your owner up the tarmacked lane, passing a small car
park, and some houses. Be sure to wind up any dogs in windows or gardens by telling them how great it is
to be outside. Loudly.
This lane will soon become a coarse path snaking through woodland and out into open land. Stay on the
lane until it forks, taking the left hand path. Trot along for a good half mile, letting your owner
enjoy views over Rydal Water. I often wonder if my owner is imagining swimming in it, stick in mouth as
I am. I'm fairly sure she is.
You'll come to a merging of footpaths, take the one in the middle which leads you up on a ledge between
Grasmere and Loughrigg Fell. Carry on down Loughrigg Terrace, taking a right which leads you down to the
lake.
Time for that stick and swim combo I mentioned earlier. See if your owner joins in, but I don't
recommend a friendly nudge of encouragement, especially while she's leaning over to feel the water
temperature. Oops.
Walk left beside the lake, going through a gate and making sure the lake shore stays on your right.
When you reach the road it's time to give up that stick no matter how attached you've
become - he's a goner and he'll only slow you down. Take a right and follow Red Bank Road for
three-quarters of a mile. This will bring you all the way back to the village of Grasmere.
