National Trust - Allan Bank and Grasmere — Attraction in Lakes

I visited here with my son, for the very first time, even though we've visited Grasmere many times before. The detached house, that is set in beautiful and breathtaking surroundings, boasts fantastic views over Grasmere water. The house is stooped in history and surrounding it, is a walk, around it's grounds. Deck chairs are available, as are plenty of well positioned benches, to take advantage of the views and the visiting rare red squirrels. Tea, coffee, cordial and biscuits are available.....with a donation placed in a box. There are activities in the many rooms, including sewing, painting, origami and reading....from the many books, shelved there. Comfy seating is available, in some of the rooms, enabling you to have refreshments whilst taking in the views. If you want to relax, in beautiful surroundings and enjoy the peace and quiet....then this is definitely the place to visit. National trust fees, into the house, are reasonable and you can pay by card. We managed to observe our native red squirrel, feeding, from one of the feeders. Highly recommended visit and staff are very friendly and inviting. Will definitely be returning, to our...

A shame it's becoming less family friendly. The increase in gallery rooms was disappointing. The downstairs art room now blinded up and dressed as a gallery is such a shame. The room with the best view, now obscured.

Upstairs has already been converted to gallery space. Why more? The only children's or family space, a tiny caravan outside which will house one family if you are lucky. Summer will be tricky.

The back pantry now has to incorporate board games , sitting space and will in the summer be so packed.

Sadly the feeling of come on in and feel at home and relax with a book, binoculars, art work or a coffee have gone. I remember when the second hand book shop was a cosy childrens room with rocking horses and toys. The art room filled with art work on the walls of all who visited and weary parents using that space to enjoy the views with a coffee and well earned sit down. Upstairs another room had crafts and things to do. Even the welcome point which had been in the billiard room is now taking over what was a space to sit and read. We have been coming every year for 15 years but it left us...

If there are two places I would want to buy and own in the Lake District, Allen Bank is one (the other is Wray Castle - also National Trust). The house has got good views down to the lake and over the village, but the feel and size of the place made me fall in love with it as soon as I went the first time, and we've been many times!

Always loads of activities for the kids to do, they particularly enjoy painting in the old sitting room and exploring the extensive gardens, which are great fun for young and old, though some of the paths are quite steep and slippery, they are fantastic.

The National Trust staff are friendly and helpful and the cakes in the cafe are delicious.

Canon Rawnsley one of the founders of the National Trust owned the place once and you can do different activities in his old bedroom such as trying your hand on old typewriters or playing board games.

There'a a small shop and a play room for younger children. One of the bedrooms had hundreds of mountaineering books some of which are two hundred years old!

Overall more than worth the walk up the long,...