A stunning morning walk yesterday from Grasmere, up to Grey Crag and Alcock Tarn. We were actually just going for a stroll up Far Easedale, but when we reached Grasmere, the clarity of the views took us higher – up to Grey Crag and Alcock Tarn.
A while since we’d visited either.
Compared to the other heights around Grasmere, I always feel Grey Crag tends to be a bit neglected. But it’s a fine rock outcrop, reached by a delightful ramble up through woodland and across open fellside, with terrific views westwards across so many familiar Lakeland tops.
We wandered up past Dove Cottage. Most people going that way only think of the Wordworth’s occupation, but I think as much about my hero Thomas de Quincey – you can see one of his Laudanum bottles within. At the moment, the whole Town End area of Grasmere is full of builders as there are renovations going on.
A steep woodland path climbs up to Grey Crag from the lane above Town End, beautiful woodland too, with glimpses between the trees of Grasmere and Silver Howe beyond. But as you come out on to the open fellside, the views open out, over the mere itself, the village, and so many familiar tops beyond, the highest still crowned with snow.
From Grey Crag, one of the finest viewpoints in the district, a whiting Wetherlam looked particularly magnificent, with just a glimpse of the top of Coniston Old Man appearing over its shoulder – I always think of the Old Man as the Kanchenjunga of Arthur Ransome’s lovely novel Swallowdale.
The Langdale Pikes looked really dramatic too, with a snow-crested Pavey Ark seeming to have wandered in from the Alps.
We walked on to Alcock Tarn, once a little reservoir. Rather lovely, its waters reflecting the snow on the higher slopes of the ridge.
We descended by the rocky path down into Greenhead Gill, the setting for Wordsworth’s poem, Michael – one of his best, I think.
We strolled into Grasmere, for no trip is complete there without a browse in Sam Read’s bookshop, and tea and refreshments in Baldry’s excellent cafe.
Rather a nice way to spend a late winter morning.
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Walking the Old Ways 
I love Thomas de Quincey. I get very put out that no-one ever points out that he lived at Dove Cottage and that it wasn’t just Wordsworth’s home!
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And but for de Quincey’s book on the Lake Poets I do wonder whether Wordsworth would be quite so famous.
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Yes! I agree about de Quincey; he is shamefully over-looked. What a beautiful morning you had for your walk!
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It was indeed.
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Coleridge was my favourite – the original ‘mad, bad and (probably) dangerous to know) 😉
Beautiful shot of Alcock. I never knew anything up there was a ‘Grey Crag’
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Grey Crag well worth a visit. Terrific little outcrop..
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I’m pretty sure I have visited it – just didn’t realise it had a name particularly… I usually visit every lump and bump wherever I’m walking…
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It’s a bit like Stone Arthur.
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Great reflection photo of Alcock Tarn. The original hidden tarn. Brilliant little walk that one.
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It is, sadly the pics don’t do the day justice – look a bit washed out.
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That’s one I’ve not been to. Looks like a gorgeous walk. And that does look just the tiniest bit like Kanchenjunga…
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A really good short walk from Grasmere, Mick. Well worth it for the views. John B.
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It’ll go on the ‘to do’ list, then.
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