Tr avel report GRASMERE T

HERE’S something about the Lake District village of Grasmere that makes you feel like you’re walking into a fairytale. Perhaps it’s the meandering streets, pretty-as-a-picture woodlands or the smell of freshbaked gingerbread from the legendary Sarah Nelson’s shop.

But it’s certainly a dreamy destination for a short break particularly when you’re blessed with the summer of sunshine that we had.

We headed to stay at the newlyrebranded Tweedies Bar and Lodge in its central location in Grasmere village.

With sprawling private gardens you can guarantee every outdoor table at the pub and restaurant is packed when that sun is shining. Inside, the owners have made a major investment in the rebrand, updating all of the former Dale Lodge hotel’s rooms with the tweed theme running throughout.

To capture the essence of the property’s location in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, owners Gillian and Brian Roberts have worked with a range of local suppliers in achieving their design aims and it all works a treat.

Running the business with their two sons James and Alex, it’s a real family business, and they are brilliant with our little two-year-old son George too.

We enjoyed the more laid back vibe and hospitality of the thriving Tweedies Bar on one night of our stay, before dressing up for the more formal restaurant in the grand old house’s dining room for the final night.

With a toddler in tow, daytime activities involved strolling through the pretty village, around the green with its chocolate box shops and cafes.

William Wordsworth lived in Grasmere, and his simple tombstone in St Oswald’s Churchyard is known as one of the most visited literary shrines in the world.

A recent landscaping of ground between the church and the river has been renamed the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden and is well worth a visit.

The lake itself is a short walk from Tweedies, and is particularly pleasant when we head for an early morning stroll before the crowds descend.

Around ten minutes’ drive from