AN INSPIRING mountaineering library has opened at William Wordsworth's former home, Allan Bank in Grasmere.

The collection at the National Trust property stretches from the 18th century to the present day and contains a comprehensive collection of more than 700 books and artefacts.

It was donated by Lord Roger Chorley, a former chairman of the National Trust, to the Mountain Heritage Trust (MHT) in 2013.

The MHT is dedicated to identifying and preserving material that documents Britain's proud climbing and mountaineering heritage.

A spokesmanon said: "Three generations of the Chorley Hopkinson families have contributed to the library. It includes magazines, novels, biographies, guidebooks and literature covering rock, ice and fell exploration across the globe and charting the development of climbing and mountaineering, so the Mountain Heritage Trust is delighted to have the opportunity of housing this wonderful literary collection at Allan Bank.

"The library itself is framed between two stunning views of Grasmere in a room which was once Coleridge’s bedroom."

The collection will appeal to general visitors, climbers or mountaineers and acad-emics alike. Allan Bank has free wifi and refreshments, and the library is accessible seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.