‘Queen Victoria’ and Cumbrian Victorians arrive in Grasmere
DEFYING blustery conditions and rainbursts, ‘Queen Victoria’ and five 19th century Cumbrian cultural icons – including ‘Beatrix Potter’ and ‘William Wordsworth’ – launched English Tourism Week by taking the train from Oxenholme to Windermere and onto Grasmere by a magnificent four-in-hand horse and carriage.
"The weather was against us after we left the train but our fantastically swift horses and fabulous on-board camaraderie made the day an absolute joy," declared Caz Graham, a Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria who played Dorothy Wordsworth in the event.
This specific journey to Grasmere – the heart of the Lake District’s 19th century literary Romantic phenomenon – surged in popularity when William Wordsworth declared the Lakeland valley as the ‘loveliest spot that man hath ever found’ and after the Oxenholme to Windermere railway opened in 1847.
"From curious passengers on the train to spectators along the nine-mile route and a cheering crowd in Grasmere, everyone was positively thrilled by the spectacle of our magnificent four-in-hand horse-drawn carriage sailing past,” said re-enactment organiser, Joanne Hunter, Co-Director of Grasmere Gingerbread®.
At their final stop outside The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, Grasmere Gingerbread inventor ‘Sarah Nelson’ greeted the Victorian party with freshly baked slices of her unique spicy-sweet cross between a biscuit and cake.
“It felt wonderful to play Queen Victoria and, in doing so, help to promote tourism which is the lifeblood of the Lake District economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and many wonderful independent businesses,” said Rachel Bell, Vice Chair of Cumbria Tourism.
‘Sarah Nelson’ welcomes ‘Queen Victoria’ and Cumbrian Victorians to The Grasmere Gingerbread® Shop
After looking inside The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, the Victorian party visited the graves of William and Dorothy Wordsworth in adjoining St. Oswald’s Churchyard.
“It felt slightly surreal playing William Wordsworth when standing before his actual grave,” explained Neil Salisbury, a Museum Assistant at Hawkshead Grammar School Museum where the famous poet was educated.
‘Queen Victoria’ and Cumbrian Victorians pay their respects at the grave of William Wordsworth
For Emil Molineaux, a maintenance engineer from Brantwood, Coniston, the day was an opportunity to celebrate its former owner John Ruskin – an influential Victorian conservationist.
“He loved the Lake District and was an early champion of the natural world,” he said.
Actress Jo Baxter, from Bowness-on-Windermere’s World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, said playing the famous children’s author was a delight.
“It’s so important to remember that her wonderful stories continue to inspire people to explore the beautiful Lake District places that shaped them,” she said.
Carriage Master John Moorhouse said he thoroughly enjoyed guiding his horse and carriage through the spectacular scenery of the Lake District. “It was wonderful, from start to finish,” he said.
Follow in the footsteps of 'Queen Victoria' and our other famous Cumbrians with our FREE Blue Badge Guided Walks around Grasmere and FREE Talk & Taste Experiences at The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.