Helvellyn - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Nestling high in the mountains at the head of three valleys in a great scoop Grisedale Tarn has an atmospheric setting. Squeezed by the southern guardian of the great Helvellyn ridge - Dollywaggon Pike to its north, and the bulks of Fairfield and Seat Sandal to the south, its outflow treks north east through the long valley of Grisedale to the village of Patterdale.

Thirlmere is a reservoir in the Borough of Allerdale in Cumbria and the English Lake District. The Helvellyn ridge lies to the east of Thirlmere. To the west of Thirlmere are a number of fells; for instance, Armboth Fell and Raven Crag both of which give views of the lake and of Helvellyn beyond. It occupies the site of a former natural lake: this had a fordable waist so narrow that it was (and is) sometimes regarded as two lakes.

Helm Crag is a well-known peak just northwest of Grasmere. It’s the fells distinctive rocky profile that lends itself its alternative name ‘The Lion and the Lamb’. The mountains true summit is a cannon shaped barrel of rock known as The Howitzer and stands just over 25ft high. It gives an exhilarating little climb, a brief essay in real mountaineering, and, in a region where all is beautiful, it makes a notable contribution to the natural charms and attractions of Grasmere."

Brothers Water is in the Hartsop valley and is a small lake in the eastern region of the Lake District. The lake is located at the foot of Kirkstone Pass, where the road climbs from the valley of Patterdale before descending to the more visited areas of Ambleside and Windermere. The small lake sustains a trout population and is one of four locations in the Lake District to harbour a rare species of fish, the Schelly.

Easedale Tarn is a tarn in the center of the English Lake District, about two miles west of the village of Grasmere. With plenty of stone bridges for trolls to hide under, waterfalls plunging into pools, and a mountain tarn surrounded by an amphitheater of fells, this walk is truly spectacular. The path up is a little loose under foot and rocky but really this is a straightforward and pleasant walk. The ring of mountains is suitably impressive.

A Georgian villa and former home of English poet, William Wordsworth. Today the house is a National Trust property that has only recently been open to the public. Unlike most other National Trust properties, Allan Bank is not a recreation of a period property and many rooms are stripped back, allowing visitors to use their imagination about the building’s potential.