GRASMERE, village, urban district, and lake of Westmor land, in the heart of the English Lake District. Pop. (I 93i ) 988. The village lies near the head of the lake, on the river Rothay and the Keswick-Ambleside road, 122 m. from Keswick and 4 from Ambleside. The scenery is very beautiful ; the valley of Grasmere and Rydal Water is well wooded, while on its eastern flank there rises boldly the range of hills which includes Rydal Fell, Fairfield and Seat Sandal, and, farther north, Helvellyn. On the west side are Loughrigg Fell and Silver How. The village has become a favourite centre for tourists, but preserves its pic turesque and sequestered appearance. In a house still standing William Wordsworth lived from 1799 to 1808, and it was subse quently occupied by Thomas de Quincey.
Wordsworth's tomb, and that of Coleridge, are in the church yard of the ancient church of St. Oswald, which contains a memorial to Wordsworth with an inscription by John Keble. A festival, procession and general holiday are held on Aug. 5. This festival of the Rushbearing is of ancient origin. Grasmere is also noted for an athletic meeting in August.
The lake of Grasmere is just under i m. in length, and has an extreme breadth of 766 yards. A ridge divides the basin from north to south, and forms an island about the middle.