St Oswald's Church, Grasmere

St Oswald's Church in Grasmere is a stone church with a distinctive double nave structure dating to the medieval period, featuring a southeast tower with pointed lancet windows and decorative corner pinnacles. The building stands within the village and is surrounded by a graveyard where monuments and graves sit among mature trees.

The church was built around 1350 but stands on land with far older roots, where Saint Oswald of Northumbria, a 7th-century king, once preached. The name and location preserve the memory of this early religious importance that existed long before the current structure was raised.

The church connects deeply with poet William Wordsworth, who lived nearby and rests here with his family in the churchyard. The burial ground reflects how the place holds meaning for visitors interested in Romantic-era literature and its local roots.

The church is an active part of community life with regular services and events that welcome visitors throughout the year. Information about opening times and special events is available through local sources or by contacting the parish directly.

Among the church's treasures is a poor box from 1648, showing how certain objects have lasted here for centuries. Equally noteworthy is an organ from 1923 built as a memorial to a nurse who died during the First World War.

Location: Lakes

Inception: 14 century

Architectural style: English Gothic architecture

Website: http://grasmereandrydal.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 54.45750,-3.02370

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29