A Perfect Grasmere Morning, Easedale Tarn & Mathilde’s Café

A Perfect Grasmere Morning - Easedale Tarn & Mathilde’s Café

A Walk, A Dip, and a Delicious Bite

One of the joys of staying at The Grand at Grasmere is that you can truly ditch the car keys and just… walk. Right from the front door, boots warm from our heated boot rack, you can step out into the valley and feel the Lakes working their magic within minutes.

Today's Route: From The Grand At Grasmere Into the Village and up to Easedale Tarn

Start with a gentle wander through the village, maybe pause to admire the little local shops or pick up a snack for later. In the centre of the village, take a left (you will see a painted sign on the stone walling) and follow road up and over the hill untill you reach a little bridge which leads to a clear footpath up to Easedale Tarn.

The path follows the river, dancing over little bridges, past mossy boulders, waterfalls, and shady spots perfect for a breather. It’s a steady climb, nothing too sharp, and very much worth taking slowly, because every time you look back, the view of Grasmere village and the surrounding fells unfolds a little more.

Soon enough, you’ll reach Easedale Tarn, a quiet bowl of water nestled between the hills. In summer, brave souls wade in for a wild swim. In winter, it’s more of a toe-dip-and-run, but still bracing and unforgettable. Here you the option to extend the walk and walk up a little further and all the way around the tarn or simply cross the stream and follow the opposite side of the valley down, or retrace your steps if you fancy seeing those views in reverse. Either way, Grasmere and a good lunch await you.

Mathilde’s Café: Scandinavian Simplicity and Lake District Warmth

Tucked behind the Heaton Cooper Studio, Mathilde’s is a local gem. Expect quality ingredients, thoughtful dishes, and a calm, Nordic atmosphere. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, a handy communal bike pump for the pedal-powered, and even hoola hoops to keep little legs entertained.

When we visited, we tucked into:

Each dish was light, satisfying and spot on after a few miles on the fells.

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‍Why We Love This Walk

• No driving needed: the valley is your back garden.
• Boot room perks: heated racks mean dry boots whatever the weather.
• Perfect for a dip: Easedale Tarn is wild swimming heaven.
• Great food & coffee to finish: Mathilde’s does it properly.

So next time you stay at The Grand at Grasmere, set that alarm, pull on your boots, and treat yourself to this simple pleasure: a classic Lake District walk paired with a delicious lunch, all on your doorstep. Check rates & avialability here and start planning your visit to The Grand At Grasmere

For opening times and menus, visit Mathilde’s Café.

Fancy a little preview before you lace up your boots? Take a peek at our reel over on Instagram, you’ll spot Hannah enjoying this very route, from riverside rambles to that well-earned lunch at Mathilde’s. It’s a little taste of Grasmere life, straight from our doorstep to yours.

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