No, not a new double act between the poet and singer, but a search engine’s use of one of my photos to celebrate the anniversary of Wordsworth’s 250th birthday.
Bing has used one of my photos for their search page background for today – it’s of daffodils flowering at Dora’s Field, near Rydal, in the Lake District, Cumbria.
It’s a beautiful place (it’s in the Lake District, what do you expect?) and makes a great place to pause and reflect on a day’s wander. A wonderful, low-level walk can be had from Ambleside, if you follow the main road out of the village, northwards (towards Rydal and Grasmere). Soon after passing the national speed limit sign, the road crosses the river, then passes a bus stop. Soon after on the right, is a signed footpath to Rydal Mount (it’s a track beside a gatehouse).
Follow this through Rydal Park to reach Rydal Hall with its glorious tea shop. (Do explore the gardens – well worth the views and vistas.) Leave the Hall and join the narrow road which drops down to the Main A591 again. However, just before you reach the bottom, bear right into St Mary’s Church. From here you can access Dora’s Field.
To continue the walk, leave Dora’s Field at the bottom, by the A591, cross over the road onto the pedestrian path opposite and turn right. Then take the signed footpath on the left, opposite the Badger Bar.
From here, it’s an idyllic walk around Rydal Water and then Grasmere (keep the River Rothay on your right to follow the best path along Grasmere’s watery edge, which then climbs up to Red Bank Lane – turn right and follow this) to the village of Grasmere.
Then, all that’s left is to catch the 599 or the 555 bus back to Ambleside. Perfect.
Wordsworth aficionados may also want to visit Allan Bank at Grasmere, and Dove Cottage at Grasmere. (there are bus stops near Dove Cottage).