local attractions

WRITERS

William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth was born in the Lake District and spent most of his long life here. His most famous peotry was inspired by the beauty of the Lake District landscape.

Wordsworth was friendly with James Machell, the original owner of the Newby Bridge Mansion, now the Newby Bridge Hotel and was a frequent visitor to the home. Wordsworths poem "To Lizzie" was dedicated to Mr Machells neice and a facimile copy can be seen at the hotel.

Three of his houses are open to visitors. Dove Cottage amd nearby Rydal Mount are "must see" attractions.

William Wordsworths grave can be visited in St Oswalds churchyard in Grasmere.

Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter lived most of her adult life in the Lake District. As well as her childrens books, which made her a large fortune, she was a well known farmer and breeder of Herdwick sheep and short hair cattle. Indeed, when she married local solicitor, William Heelis she was documented in the local paper as "the well known exhibitor of short hair cattle, and writer of Childrens books!" . She bought several farms in the area, including Hill Top, which has been beautifully restored. She bought up farmland around Coniston to prevent it being built on and owned around 4,000 acres at her death, which she bequeathed to the National Trust. She was completely unsentimental about animals, she kept a rabbit hutch in her garden, but only for the pot and she would kill, skin and cook the rabbits herself.

Arthur Ransome

Arthur Ransome, the author of "Swallows And Amazons" spent his childhood holidays on Coniston Water, which gave him the inspiration. He spent his latter years in the Lake District as a frequent visitor to the Newby Bridge Hotel, enjoying as many have since, its wonderful views over Lake Windermere.

See www.lindisfarm.co.uk for photos of the descendents of Beatrix Potters Herdwick sheep, now owned by us.