The village is on the river Rothay, which flows into Grasmere lake about 0.5 km to the south.
The village is overlooked from the north-west by the rocky hill of Helm Crag, popularly known as The Lion and the Lamb or the Old Lady at the Piano.
These names are derived from the shape of rock formations on its summit, depending on the side from which you view it.

A number of frequented walks begin in the village, including the ascent of Helm Crag, a longer route up to Fairfield and a moderate 200-metre ascent to Easedale Tarn.
The village is also on the route of Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk.

The main A591 road connects Grasmere to the Vale of Keswick over Dunmail Raise to the north, and Ambleside to the south.
In other directions, Grasmere is surrounded by high ground. (
At Christmas 2015, the A591 was washed away on the Keswick side of Dunmail Raise, causing traffic to make a long detour.
The route reopened in May 2016.)
To the west, a long ridge comes down from High Raise and contains the lesser heights of Blea Rigg and Silver How.
To the east, Grasmere is bordered by the western ridge of the Fairfield horseshoe.
The village is on the river Rothay, which flows into Grasmere lake about 0.5 km to the south. The village is overlooked from the north-west by the rocky hill of Helm Crag, popularly known as The Lion and the Lamb or the Old Lady at the Piano. These names are derived from the shape of rock formations on its summit, depending on the side from which you view it.
A number of frequented walks begin in the village, including the ascent of Helm Crag, a longer route up to Fairfield and a moderate 200-metre ascent to Easedale Tarn. The village is also on the route of Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk.
The main A591 road connects Grasmere to the Vale of Keswick over Dunmail Raise to the north, and Ambleside to the south. In other directions, Grasmere is surrounded by high ground. (At Christmas 2015, the A591 was washed away on the Keswick side of Dunmail Raise, causing traffic to make a long detour. The route reopened in May 2016.) To the west, a long ridge comes down from High Raise and contains the lesser heights of Blea Rigg and Silver How. To the east, Grasmere is bordered by the western ridge of the Fairfield horseshoe.
Grasmere (village)