Attractions in and around Hawkshead

Explore the beautiful village of Hawkshead, said by many to be the ‘prettiest village in the Lake District’, with its numerous buildings of interest dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Looking for something a little more energetic, then nearby there are many walks for all abilities. Also, mountain bike hire is available in the village, with access from the house to the numerous trails of Grizedale Forest.

For those searching the Lake District for ‘Peter Rabbit’, you will find many Beatrix Potter attractions in the area.

There are numerous events throughout the year in Hawkshead, along with other seasonal events in and around South Lakeland, so you are sure to find plenty of places to visit during your stay at Walker Ground Manor, many of which are available on our car free days. With four inns, a small hotel and numerous cafes in the village eating out without the car could not be better served. Ambleside and Windermere can also provide International cuisine of the highest standard.

Hawkshead Village

Sometimes described as the prettiest village in the Lake District, Hawkshead was once a thriving market town, and can trace its history back to the 10th century. Hawkshead is in a conservation area and has remained largely untouched for the past 300 years. Once the centre of the woollen industry in north Lancashire it was once an important medieval town. So it is not surprising to find many beautiful and interesting buildings of architectural importance in the village. The centre of the village is closed to through traffic, which makes it a pleasure exploring the cobbled streets and hidden places, or browsing the shops. Local refreshment is at hand in the several historic teashops and Inns dotted throughout the village, where you can relax and let the world go by.

St Michael & All Angels Church - dating from 1500’s, St Michaels overlooks the village and has a picture book appearance of a medieval church. The oak timbered roof is one of its finest features. In the summer it is the focal point for the annual Lake District Summer music festival. See seasonal events.

The Old Grammar School - perhaps reflecting on the past status of the village, the Grammar School was founded in 1585 by the Archbishop of York. It is now a museum, whose main attraction is that of its most famous pupil, William Wordsworth, who attended the school between 1779 & 1787.

“In search of Beartix Potter and friends”

The Beatrix Potter Gallery - situated in the centre of the village in the old offices of her husband, William Heelis, the Beatrix Potter Gallery house an exhibition, changing annually, of the author’s work. The area around Hawkshead has many attractions for those visitors looking to discover more about the countryside that inspired Beatrix Potter.

In 1905 Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top, a small farm in Sawrey, which is just 2 miles from Hawkshead. Seven of her books are based in or around Hill Top.  Tom Kitten and Samuel Whiskers lived there. The house is still as it was then, and is now the most visited literary shrine in the Lake District. Beatrix Potter married a Hawkshead solicitor, William Heelis, in 1913, and settled into a life as a Lakeland farmer.  His office in the centre of Hawkshead is now the National Trust’s ‘Beatrix Potter Gallery’. Beatrix Potter continued to buy property in and around the area, including the land between Coniston and Little Langdale, which contained Tarn Hows. On her death this and some other fourteen farms were left to the National Trust.

Situated in Ambleside is the Armitt Library, which now contains many of Beatrix Potter’s water colours, and drawings of fungi, mosses and fossils.

The World of Beatrix Potter is located in Bowness, which is a short drive via the ferry from Hawkshead. There you can discover Peter Rabbit and friends in a magical recreation of Beatrix Potter's books, a great experience for children.

Mountain Biking       

With so many quiet lanes and off road tracks in the area Hawkshead is an ideal place to mountain bike.  We can offer advice on routes starting from the house for all abilities, both nearby and as far a field as Langdale and back.  Mountain bikes may be hired in the village at the campsite (The Croft Tel. 015394 36374). In addition we are close to the Forestry Commission Grizedale visitors centre, which also has mountain bike hire  (www.grizedalemountainbikes.co.uk.) and accessories shop.  The forest offers routes for everyone, and being traffic free with easy gradients it will suit all the family. Trailers and tag along bikes are also available for hire to young children. Apart from the way-marked routes, you can access other forest roads as well as the public bridleways that cross the forest.

The B4 network is also available, allowing you to leave your car at Windermere or Coniston and take your bike on the Mountain Goat bus (www.mountain-goat.com) and boat to Grizedale. New this year is the ‘North Face’ mountain bike trail, a purpose built trail 10 miles long, with 6 miles of new single track. There is access direct to the forest trails from the Bridleway at the side of Walker Ground Manor. (About 2km to the forest roads, as well as the beginning of the North Face track.) So you don’t even have to load up the car to enjoy a days mountain biking.

We have facilities for bike storage, with a workshop area, and there is easy bike cleaning using our natural stream. Clothes drying facilities are available.

Fishing

Nearby Esthwaite Water (www.hawkshead.demon.co.uk) provides excellent facilities for fishing. This is the largest any method trout water in North West England, and we are able to offer a FREE permit for shoreline fishing to all our guest. You will also find rod hire and instruction available at the lake office/shop.

We can also provide details of the 30 rivers and streams, 53 course fishing and 65 trout fishing still waters in the Lake District, along with where to obtain permits and licences.

Eating Out

There is a great choice for eating out in the village, with four Inns and a small hotel, all of which serve food both at lunch- time and in the evenings.  All are within 200yds of the house.  Details below:

Kings Arms Tel. 015394 36372
Good selection of local beers including Hawkshead Bitter. Same menu is served in the bar and dining room. Mains from £6.95.
www.kingsarmshawkshead.co.uk

Sun Inn Tel. 015394 36236
Bar menu with a separate dining room menu. Mains from £6.50 bar and £11.45 dining room.
www.suninn.co.uk

Ivy House Hotel Tel. 015394 36204
A small hotel with fixed dinner menu from  £ 17.50 RAC dining award.
www.ivyhousehotel.com

Queens Head   Tel.  015394 36271
AA rosette restaurant.  Dining room has two sittings in the season. Mains from £9.55 Meals are also available in the bar.
 www.queenshead.co.uk

There are also numerous cafes that provide food during the daytime, and in the season may be open into the early evening.

Nearby is the Drunken Duck Inn (10mins Drive) recent winner of a Cesars Award for the best Inn of the Year.  Mains from £14.00 to £22.95.    Tel: 015394 36347
www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk

Within 20 minutes drive, Ambleside and Windermere offer a wide selection worldwide cuisine, as well as some quick food outlets.  You can even take a ‘meal deal’ at Zeffirellis Picture House in Ambleside, and eat in their whole-food Italian style restaurant, either prior to, or after a film showing.