Rydal Falls: The Ultimate in Picturesque?

Back in March, whilst in the Lake District I was keen to visit Rydal Mount and the Lower Rydal Falls, as this must be one of the 'Holy of Holies' of the Romantic Picturesque.  Today it is possible to walk past the house and look down from a bridge over the river onto 'The Grot' and Rydal Lower Falls.  In 1668, though, when 'The Grot' was built this bridge did not exist and the falls could not be seen from this spot.  The Grot, a grade II listed building, was built specifically to view the falls from its window.  In 1668 it was not possible to see the falls  except through the window, when the building was entered.  It became famous as part of the Picturesque movement as an example of a wild and rugged scene to inspire dramatic landscape painting.  The building was restored between 2005 and 2007 and is now as it was 350 years ago.  It is now possible to view the falls as Wordsworth, Gilpin and many other 18th and 19th century tourists have done.  Not only were they told what to look at, but how to look at it.  For all that, it is interesting and the falls spectacular, although it is much more satisfying to get out on the hills and find some spectacular falls for oneself.