Sarah Nelson Gingerbread Shop Grasmere - The Lakes
Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread Shop
Sarah Nelson’s gingerbread shop is a popular stop on our tour of the lakes from Manchester, Liverpool or Chester. Sarah Nelson life story is an interesting tale and is listed in the top ten things to see in the Lake district.
Born in 1815 in Bowness-on-Windermere with her widowed mother she lived in hard times. Her maiden name was Sarah Kemp and she grew to be quite an industrious person, with her mother putting her into stately service she soon progressed the ranks and found her niche as a cook.
Marrying her husband in 1844 did not solve the financial problems for Sarah Nelson. His earnings where not enough to support her and their two children. So Sarah started making cakes for the Lady of the house – Dale Lodge in Grasmere.
With encouragement from Lady Farquhar’s chef Sarah expanded and started to make lovely gingerbread. She would sit outside her cottage and sell to Victoria tourists her cakes and the soon to become famous “Sarah Nelson Ginger Bread”.
The fame was such that the recipe was locked away in the local bank vault and her ginger bread wrapping had printed ‘None Genuine Without Trade Mark’. Sarah Nelson had now established herself as a ‘Baker and Confectioner of Grasmere
Sarah Nelson died aged 88 in1904 and thankfully the Windermere ginger bread recipe secret did not die with her.
Over the years little has changed and the Ginger Bread and well as Kendal Mint Cake, Penrith toffee and fudge and home-made chocolate gingers are still sold in the tiny shop across the churchyard window where William Wordsworth and his family lie buried
Visiting the shop is a step back in time – a time when children would try and escape a few minutes early to run to ‘The Gingerbread Shop’ to be first to buy a penny bag of broken pieces. These were sold sold in aid of Doctor Barnado’s Homes a legacy on how great Sarah Nelson was for the community of the The Lakes.
A coincident that at the time of this document that Sarah Nelson, Head of Finance at Sainsbury who has been recognised for her outstanding work for the BAME community, and has also featured on the Empower Top 100 list. BAME ensures diversity and inclusion agenda within the work place.
Our day trip tours to THE LAKES will take you to places in the Lake District you thought didn’t (or couldn’t) exist and your driver & tour escort will keep you fully informed and advised as to points of interest and general knowledge regarding the ever-changing panoramic views.
This Lake District sightseeing tour has been carefully routed and planned with your driver tailoring the day to suit the weather, atmosphere and ambiance of the general group on board. This makes every tour unique, special and memorable and allows you to partake in as much (or little) as you feel comfortable with. You will never be put under any commitment or pressure to do anything that you don’t wish to.
After we have waved farewell to the spectacular City of Manchester, we will hit the road to the legendary land of The Lake District in a 2-hour partially-narrated journey, navigating a spectacular section of the M6 motorway, passing Preston and Lancaster. On a clear day you will see the famous British “backbone” called The Pennines.
A superb example of a Neolithic stone circle set in the breath-taking scenery of the Lake District with a view of a number of the surrounding mountains and hills. Stand in the centre of the circle and feel the mystical energy flow from the ground up through your body.
Most of the buildings date from the 19th or early 20th Century, though the Church dates from the 13th Century. William Wordsworth, who died in 1850, and his wife Mary, who died 9 years later, have tombstone in the churchyard of St Oswald’s Church, one of the most visited literary shrines in the world.
This tiny, aroma-flooded quaint shop with happy costumed staff is neatly tucked away at the corner of the churchyard. You’ll browse through, soak up the history, and then sample this most wonderful delicacy before ladling yourself down with bags of the stuff to distribute proudly to your friends (if it lasts that long)!
The Langdales is a superb home to some of the most dramatic and diverse scenery in the whole of Cumbria (if not Britain!) hosting some of the most photogenic scenery around. Weather permitting we’ll drive the “loop” of “Little Switzerland” and even attempt a summit on foot to work up an appetite (for food or more scenery!)
Largely Victorian and home to the Roman Galava Fort – ex-resident to 500 Roman soldiers. Grew rapidly when the ferry terminal opened in 1845. St Mary’s Church (1854) was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The 17th Century Bridge House over Stock Ghyll is one of the most photographed scenes in Lakeland.
Cumbria’s most popular sprawling town developed after the opening of the railway line from Oxenholme and Kendal to Windermere in 1847. Home to a glorious lakeside boat launch. Here you can hop on the optional Lake Windermere Lake Cruise for a trip of a lifetime (£8.00 / $10).
The following locations are all accessible and can be substituted for any of the above at short notice by the driver/guide if weather or traffic conditions dictate.
This welcoming family-owned oasis with a passion for friendly and quality service offers an excellent breather for our weary travellers. The well-stocked and great value menu will tempt your palate as will the local brew and mysterious legends.
Another, earlier home of William Wordsworth from December 1799 to May 1808, the years of his supreme work as a poet. Built in the early 17th century as a small hostelry with an oak-panelled hall and floors of Westmorland slate
Glorious views of Rydal Water and the surrounding fells can be enjoyed from this home of William Wordsworth from 1813 to 1850. It now belongs to the descendants of the poet laureate and is also the starting point for the scenic coffin trail walk linking Rydal Mount with Dove Cottage.
Originally called Birthwaite built around its railway station offering train and bus connections to the surrounding area. Often referred to as the “Capital” of the Lake District with its bustling shops and many hotels – all build from local materials.
BEATRIX POTTER
Born 28th July 1866. Her parents rented the Wray Castle near Ambleside and spent many holidays with her there. She spent most of her adult life here, inspired to write her books as well as landscape paintings and sketches. She died in 1943 leaving 14 farms and 4,000 acres of land to the National Trust.
JOHN RUSKIN
Born 8th February 1819. A poet, artist, critic, social revolutionary and conservationist. In 1871 he bought Brantwood near Coniston and was involved conservation after meeting Hardwicke Rawnsley and Octavia Hill, the founders of the National Trust in 1896.
SIR HUGH WALPOLE
A resident here from 1924 until his death in 1941. He wrote a large number of books while living at Brackenburn, including The Herries Chronicle and 15 volumes of his diaries.
ALFRED WAINWRIGHT
Famous for his 7 Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells created when he worked in the Borough Treasurers Office in Kendal from 1941. These handwritten, hand-drawn works of art have been the inspiration to all fell-walkers for the past 40 years. He died in 1991.