Left: Inside the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, where more than 6 customers make a queue.

The recipe is locked in the National Westminster Bank in Ambleside. The business is owned and run by the Wilson family, and has been for over 60 years. Each day visitors to the shop are greeted by the wonderful aroma of freshly baked gingerbread and an atmosphere that’s bursting with tradition.

Where?

Sarah Nelson’s Original Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread can only be purchased from The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop - tucked away in the corner of St. Oswalds’s Churchyard, next to the Wordsworth Hotel.

Location of Shop: National Grid Reference; Easting: 33370, Northing: 50740.

Click here for detailed location map

Please note: The Gingerbread can be bought by mail order through this web site, or directly via the shop by fax or post.

From time to time we also attend food fairs and local shows in the Cumbrian region - look out for details on this site.

When?

The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop is now open all year around, except for Good Friday and Christmas Day (the property is owned by the Church and so we respect these religious festivals).

Monday - Saturday 9.15am - 5.30pm

Sundays 12.30pm - 5.30pm

(Visits by groups and coaches can be pre-arranged outside these hours except Sundays)

During winter the shop’s opening hours are shorter, please contact us on
+ 44 (015394) 35428 for details.

What?

Apart from Sarah Nelson’s Original Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread, we also make our own rum butter. Available are home-made fudges (ginger/chocolate/rum & raisin and butter tablet). We also stock Penrith Toffee and Fudge, Cartmel Village Store Sticky Toffee Sauce, Kendal Mint Cake, lemon cheese, jams and ginger beer.

Who?

Although Wordsworth taught in the building, the shop has had some very famous customers - Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and family, Virginia McKenna, Alan Whicker, Colin Welland, Brian Cant, Anne Kirkbride. Those who have been to film and record at the shop include Brian Johnson, Jenny Powell and the ‘No Limits’ team, Robert Smith (Carlton Food Channel) and the ‘This Morning’ team and many overseas and regional film crews.

Imitations!
Because our Gingerbread is so famous and so good, many people try and copy it. Therefore, be aware of any imitations that are sold especially in Grasmere stating that it is THE Grasmere Gingerbread or Ginger Shortbread or Lakeland Gingerbread, or anything of a similar description - they are NOT produced by us and do not match our secret recipe or traditional methods. Remember that our Gingerbread is baked fresh everyday, only in Church Cottage Grasmere, the English Lakes, United Kingdom, and that is why it is so special and we would like to keep it that way!

Our genuine gingerbread can only be sold displaying the trademark.