Monday 17th September
We set off from home on a fairly sunny Monday morning, but by the time we arrived in the Lakes around noon the weather had changed to rather wet and showery. We spent some time wandering around the shops in Keswick, sampled the sausage and mash in Brysons cafe (very large portion!), and headed for our hotel in Grasmere around 3pm.
Our hotel (The Daffodil) was located next to the lake just on the edge of Grasmere, and was booked via KGB deals at £129 on a two night deal, with 20% discount on restaurant food.
The hotel was brand new, only opened earlier in 2012, and was an old established hotel that was demolished and rebuilt but still retaining some original styling features (externally at least).
Website: Daffodil Hotel - Grasmere
We had a non-lake view room with many modern amenities, a large bathroom with generous bath and a separate shower cubicle.
There were many luxury features, with a flat TV at the end of the huge comfy bed, higher end tea/coffee/hot chocolate/biscuits and Molton Brown toiletries.
The 'view' was out onto a flat roof and air conditioning vents, though at less than £65 a night including a very good hot/cold buffet breakfast we could hardly complain. Even the "preview" room rates are around £140 per night although for a lake view room (with the hotel being quite new they are offering preview rates but warn of perhaps some teething problems).
Whilst the hotel retained its old- style character externally, the internal decor was all very modern and in some ways a little bit clinical. It is early days though, and the very large (and some-what empty) reception area and the bar there (closed) will no doubt improve as time goes on.
The restaurant on the first floor can only be described as excellent. It is a grill style menu, and the steak and the chunky cut chips are "to die for!" (Possibly the best chips I have ever had!)
The prices were not off the wall either for the quality offered, and the service was generally very good. Our desserts were forgotten for a while on the second night, but with an apology and them being offered on the house, we had no complaints.
The large area outside the hotel is under development, and there are no gardens or lawns as yet, but it is early days, and with the views around outside, of the fells, and the lake, hardly an issue really. Though tables/seating and a decent bar for summer weather etc... would improve things somewhat, once the outside areas have been developed. The bar that was open, was the "Walkers Bar" adjacent (and really a part of) the restaurant. Quite why it qualifies as a Walkers bar is beyond me, as it seems anything but this, and is on the first floor (not exactly very accessible for walkers!)
Despite the small points raised (mainly relating perhaps to the hotel deciding what it wants to be - modern/boutique/traditonal?), would highly recommend a stay here, particularly at the crazy low price we paid.
Tuesday 8th September
Grasmere: Grey Crag & Alcock Tarn
(Pathfinder Guide: Central Lakeland Walk #9 4.3 Miles)
After a cooked breakfast at the Daffodil we set off from the hotel around 10:15 for a walk to Grey Crag & Alcock Tarn. The day was dull, and looked showery so we chose a short fairly low level walk setting off directly from the hotel, so no drive required to a start point.
We turned left out of the hotel car park, and headed along the main road to the roundabout. Left turn would take us into Grasmere, but looking right, at the roundabout there was a narrow road going in the direction we had just come from, past Dove Cottage. Notable as Sir William Wordsworth moved into Dove cottage in 1799 (a former Inn).
Continuing up the lane and avoiding a minibus of Japanese tourists, the lane turned left, gently climbing next to the coffin stone shown below.
These stones were resting places where a transported coffin may be laid down and the bearers allowed to rest for a while. The Corpse road, in this case that ran from Ambleside to Grasmere Church were routes along which the dead were transported from remote communities to places with cemetries and burial rights, such as parish churches.
After a short while the road reached a very small pond through Brackenfell woodland, and then began to zig-zag, climbing and offering views of the surrounding fells.
The gate led into the National Trust`s Alcock Tarn reserve, and we followed the path up to Grey Crag.
The view up to Grey Crag.
Nearing the summit we looked down to see our hotel - The Daffodil.
The Summit of Grey Crag, not a Wainwright, but a pleasant view down to Grasmere village, lake and the surrounding fellage. (Is that a word?)
Coming down a short way we arrived at Alcock Tarn,and passed the edge of this to follow a track by a wall.
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The descent back down to the valley was fairly easy going and at Greenhead Gill there were some small waterfalls.
Not sure of the significance of the small piles of stones though!
The route led us back to the main road, which we crossed and followed a narrow track into Grasmere village. Here we stopped at Tweedies Bar for refreshment (beer!) and decided to have lunch as the menu was too tempting. Recommended for both the food and the many choices of draught beers and wines. Next time I will try the "Beer Bat" which is a wooden "bat" with holes drilled in it to carry 3 small glasses of any of the beers to try as samples. Same price as a pint!
Web Link : Tweedies Bar - Grasmere
After suitable refreshment we followed the road through and then out of Grasmere back to the hotel, enjoying view ahead of Grey Crag and where we had just walked earlier.
Although only fairly low level and not a Wainwright fell, the walk was quite varied and pleasant, and allowed some time in Grasmere village on the return. All in all, an easy short walk with some good views down to Grasmere, very nice, and the weather did stay dry after all until we got back to the hotel.
Our Walk Score: 6.5/10
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