Back once again for 2024 is a guided walk of Ambleside by Dr Penny Bradshaw.

Ambleside’s literary associations date back to the rise of picturesque tourism in the 18th century. In the years that followed William Wordsworth’s arrival in nearby Grasmere in 1799, a host of writers were drawn to the Lake District. Celebrated poets and novelists, from John Keats to Charlotte Brontë, visited Ambleside and other writers, such as Thomas De Quincey and Matthew Arnold, had homes here. By the 1850s Ambleside was at the centre of a Victorian vogue for ‘literary tourism’, with visitors exploring the region through the writing it inspired. During the tour, Penny will offer insights into important aspects of the town's history and will share some of the responses it inspired in its literary visitors.

This half day walk with literary readings will be led by Dr Penny Bradshaw, author of A Literary Walking Tour of Ambleside (2021).

The walk will begin and end at The Armitt. Copies of Penny’s literary tour will be on sale in the shop and Penny will be happy to do a book signing at the end of the event.

NB: the tour will mainly involve walking along good footpaths but attendees are advised to wear suitable footwear and outer clothing. Please have lunch beforehand as the walk will be continuous and only stop briefly for readings.

About the walk leader and author

Dr Penny Bradshaw is an Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of Cumbria and programme Leader for the University’s MA Literature, Romanticism, and the English Lake District. Penny specialises in regional Romanticism and literary responses to place. She is also the author of three walking tours: Literary Lancaster (2016), A Literary Walking Tour of Ambleside (2021) and A Literary Walking Tour of Carlisle (2023). Penny is currently writing a book on Beatrix Potter for Bloomsbury Academic.