Those looking to combine walks, cycling and local history in Hawkshead will find several distinct themes to explore. A short linear route crosses meadows to Loanthwaite Lane; an easy walk leads to nearby Esthwaite Water. A car-free cycling route follows the shore to Wray. Hawkshead also has a focus on school and literary history, as well as its listed church. When choosing Hawkshead as a place to stay, it helps to decide what you want to focus on: walking, cycling, or the history of the school and church.

Walking around Hawkshead

The short linear walk from Hawkshead to Loanthwaite Lane heads north through meadows. Its one-way route and named destination make it a clear option for anyone looking for a point-to-point walk rather than a circular route.

The Hawkshead to Loanthwaite Lane walk starts on Black Beck Road. From the village centre, follow Hawkshead Trail signs for National Cycle Network route number 6 to reach the start. Route directions, signs and conditions can change, so check the current route before setting out.

An easy walk leads to Esthwaite Water in the area around Hawkshead. The lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including ospreys, although sightings are not guaranteed. This walk has a different destination from the route north to Loanthwaite Lane.

Cycling route and bus connection

The Hawkshead to Wray cycling route follows a car-free path along the shore to Wray. It offers a different focus from the walking routes: here, Wray is the destination along a waterside route, while Loanthwaite Lane and Esthwaite Water are destinations for walks.

Stagecoach bus service 505 connects Hawkshead with Kendal, Windermere and Ambleside. If you plan to use this service for your onward journey or arrival, check the current timetable before travelling, as transport information can change.

School history, literature and the development of the village

After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, Hawkshead developed primarily as a market town. The Hawkshead Grammar School Museum tells the story of school life since the school was founded in 1585. William Wordsworth attended Hawkshead Grammar School from the age of nine to seventeen. The development of the village and the school’s history therefore offer distinct historical themes.

The museum offers historical games, dressing up and quill writing. These activities complement the biographical connection to Wordsworth with hands-on themes related to school life.

Bookshop and church

The former Beatrix Potter Gallery has reopened as Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop. The building that once housed the gallery served as William Heelis’s office. Visitors can receive a map of Beatrix Potter’s Hawkshead at Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop for a suggested donation of £2.

St. Michael & All Angels Church in Hawkshead is a Grade I listed building; the present building was constructed around 1490. Opening hours are listed as 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, or until dusk if it gets dark earlier. Check whether the church is currently open to visitors before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Patterdale, Brough, Kirkby Stephen, Sedgwick, Workington, Torpenhow, Lindal in Furness, Broughton-In-Furness.

For the main travel overview: Cumbria.