Hawkshead
A lovely Lakeland village with literary connections to William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
Plan Around Hawkshead
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Hawkshead Details
William Wordsworth attended Hawkshead Grammar School between 1778 and 1787, when it was one of the best schools in England. Visitors can still see the desk on which he carved his name. Beatrix Potter (Mrs Heelis) lived at Castle Cottage, Near Sawrey, two miles from Hawkshead. Hill Top, her first property purchase, is the location - inside and out- for many of her tales. It is now a National Trust property open to the public. Her husband, a solicitor, had his offices in Hawkshead. That solicitor's office now houses The Beatrix Potter Gallery (National Trust), where displays of her original illustrations for her famous little books for children can be viewed. Many references to Hawkshead feature in her drawings, watercolours and writings. The character Johnny Town Mouse is based on the village doctor, Dr Parsons, a great friend of her husband. Both men shared a keen interest in golf - hence Johnny Town Mouse is drawn with doctor's bag in one hand and golf clubs. William the Conqueror's grandson, later the last Norman king, Stephen I, included Hawkshead and its environs in his 1137 endowment of Furness Abbey. The Cistercian monks built one of their "granges" just north of the village, where part of their "hall", its "Courthouse" above an arched entrance, and the mill pond for the corn mill are still to be seen. There are no less than thirty eight buildings of architectural or historic interest in Hawkshead, many dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Local oak forms the overhanging "pentices" (upper storeys) of the 17th century timber-framed houses on Flag Street and Main Street. Pentices were essential to balance the weight of slate roofs and heavy furniture on the upper floors, but also provided convenient places to display fleeces, yarn, cloth and other produce, to potential buyers. Grid Reference: SD 35232 98125 Address (near): Hawkshead, Ambleside LA22 0PH, UK
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Nearby Parks Around Hawkshead
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Hawkshead
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0.9 mi away
Esthwaite Water
One of the smaller and lesser known lakes known for its excellent fishing and the chance to spot an osprey.
1.8 mi away
Tarn Hows
Stunning Tarn Hows offers an accessible circular (1' miles) walk through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views.
1.9 mi away
Hill Top
Enjoy the tale of Beatrix Potter by visiting Hill Top. Full of her favourite things, this house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk.
2.1 mi away
Monk Coniston and Tarn Hows
You'll likely meet a sheep or two on this walk from the head of Coniston Water to the shores of Tarn Hows.
2.2 mi away
Low Wray Campsite
One of the four campsites run by the National Trust.
