Allan Bank

The house is deliberately informal rather than grand. Expect changing displays and art exhibitions, quirky traces of its former residents, a second-hand bookshop, and the restored billiard room, a chapel-like 1830s room with original stained-glass windows. The large windows and lawn open onto Grasmere and the surrounding fells.

Outside, explore the 19th-century wooded pleasure grounds and formal lawns. Woodland paths pass historic features and quieter viewpoints, while the canopy gives welcome shade on warmer days. This is also one of the better places in the area to look for red squirrels. Check near the feeder and in the trees, and keep an eye out for treecreepers, nuthatches, and buzzards. In late spring and summer, foxgloves, red campion, and stitchwort add colour along the woodland edge.

The normal approach is a roughly 10-minute uphill walk from the centre of Grasmere. The access road and grounds are steep or uneven in places, and some viewpoints have drops, so wear shoes with a good grip and take the paths at your own pace. There is no general visitor parking at the house. Only limited Blue Badge parking is available on site; otherwise use the public pay-and-display car parks in Grasmere.

Bring a snack or picnic: there is no café, but picnics are welcome outdoors and inside, and free hot drinks are available in the house with a suggested donation. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds and house. An accessible toilet is on the ground floor, but the property is not accessible by mobility scooter.