Grasmere Village Conservation Area
We have carried out an Appraisal of Grasmere Conservation Area. The draft Appraisal assesses the special qualities which justify its designation and helps to determine whether any alterations in the boundary need to be made. A draft Management Plan has also been prepared outlining the measures for the preservation and enhancement of the area.
We would like comments on the draft Appraisal from local residents, local stakeholders and interest groups.
Why is Grasmere special?
Grasmere is a historic village by the River Rothay with attractive architectural and historic character. This includes:
- Origins as a settlement that perhaps dates to the early medieval period, with a church dedicated to St Oswald, the seventh century king of Northumbria.
- Development as a centre of water-powered textile industries in the later medieval period.
- Role as a focal point for Lake District tourism following the construction of metalled roads from the 1770s and railways from the 1840s.
- International significance as a centre for Wordsworth heritage, based on the several houses in the parish in which William Wordsworth lived, and on the graves of the Wordsworth family in Grasmere churchyard.
- Numerous large purpose-built hotels as testimony to the nineteenth century tourist industry that Wordsworth did so much to inspire.
- Amphitheatre-like setting in a plain surrounded by high rugged fells.
- Expansive views across the level plain to the fells.
- The large open green spaces within the village, with meadows that come right into the centre of the village.
- Grass verges and field walls along the lanes, enhancing the relationship between Grasmere and the surrounding landscape.
- Numerous trees, whose foliage gives Grasmere the distinctive appearance of a woodland settlement.
- The contribution of the River Rothay, which creates a natural boundary to the village, and whose banks have been a focal point for building and industry, as well as adding great scenic interest to the village, with its historic and modern bridges and its riverside paths.
- The network of public footpaths linking the village to the river and to the surrounding countryside.
- The quality and homogeneity of the historic buildings, with good examples of both common and rare Lakeland vernacular architecture, historic shop fronts and larger gentry houses and hotels including 11 listed buildings.
- The palette of building materials reflecting the underlying geology of dark grey and purple slate stone, with contrasting blue grey detailing for quoins, window and door surrounds, drip moulds and chimneys.
- The number and variety of activities supported by the village, which is a busy commercial centre with school, theatre, social clubs.
Public consultation
The involvement of local community, stakeholders and those with an interest in the local area in the designation of a conservation area and in the preparation of appraisals and management plans is an essential part of the process. Such involvement can integrate local knowledge into the appraisal and bring invaluable public understanding and ownership to proposals for the conservation area. The initial appraisal and management plan are draft documents to enable them to be amended if required.
Each appraisal and management plan involves a four week period of consultation during which time an exhibition will be held in the local area for the public.
Find out more
Grasmere Draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (opens Document Library)
Read more about the benefits of Conservation Areas and the Appraisals process.
To comment
We want to hear the views of local people, organisations and businesses and other interest groups about the proposed conservation area.
Please give us your views using the Conservation Area Assessment Questionnaire (opens Document Library). Please download and either print out and send to:
David James
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7RL
or email as an attachment to david.james@lake-district.gov.uk by 16 January 2009
Exhibition
A local exhibition has been arranged at Grasmere Village Hall, Brodgate, Grasmere on:
- Monday 15 December 2008 4pm to 8pm
- Wednesday 17 December 2008 10am to 2pm
Someone will be available at the exhibition if you have any questions.
If you can't make it, don't worry! You can look at the Grasmere Village Conservation Area Exhibition Panels online (opens Document Library)
