Pictures of Rydal

About Rydal

Rydal in the lake district will be forever associated with the poet William Wordsworth who lived here and whose works reflect the beautiful landscape that so vividly captured his imagination almost from the moment he was born. Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, was educated in the area and was later to marry his childhood friend Mary Hutchinson. Together they settled into Dove Cottage in Grassmere where three of their five children were born. After a time they moved to The Old Rectory near St. Oswald's Church. Although in a stunning location, the house proved cold and damp, sadly the two youngest children died here. In later years, when living at Rydal Mount, Wordsworth bought and planted a field of Daffodils in celebration of his daughter Dora's birthday. The field is now in the care of the National Trust.

Rydal Water, though small is very picturesque. It is not as remote nor as spectacular as some of the high upland tarn's such as Easdale lying beneath the towering cliffs of Tarn Crag but it's wild beauty draws flocks of tourists to it's scenic shores. Maybe, this is to do with the Wordsworth connection-on the western edge of the lake is a spot known as Wordsworth's Seat, it is said to have been the poet's favourite viewpoint. Nab Cottage, once home to friends of the Wordsworth's overlooks the lake around which there is a wonderful walk taking in two of the Wordworth homes-Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. It also passes Rydal Cave, a mysterious cavern in the hills above the lake. Visitors to Rydal are often overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the lake and the peaceful atmosphere pervading the many pretty woodland walks around its shores. Not only is it popular with walkers but it is a favoured place for cyclists and anglers.

There are many pretty villages in the glorious lakes, few have the quiet contentment of unforgettable Rydale which makes an idyllic base for exploring the magic of lakeland in Cumbria.

Places to visit include; Rydal House, Rydal Manor, Nab Cottage, Dove Cottage, Conniston Water, Lake Windermere, Hawkshead Courthouse, Grassmere and Kendal.

Interesting & Historical Facts about Rydal

'Dora's Field' at the village of Rydal near the town of Ambleside in Cumbria's Lake District, is named after Wordsworth's daughter and is a mass of daffodils that were planted in her memory by Wordsworth, his wife and their gardener after Dora died from tuberculosis in 1847. She was devoted to her father William, and was a significant influence on his poetry. The field was given to the National Trust by Gordon Wordsworth (William's Grandchild) in 1935 for the benefit of the public.

Rydal facts | Cumbria facts