Hawkshead Village
Hawkshead, Cumbria
With its slate-roofed heritage buildings, cozy old pubs, and cobbled lanes, Hawkshead Village is the picture of English country idyll. Home to William Wordsworth’s old school and Beatrix Potter’s home, the village has got some impressive literary links. Green forests and fells on its doorstep, plus a car-free center, add to its appeal.
The basics
Literary tours of the Lake District typically make stops at Hawkshead so participants can visit Hill Top, the former residence of children’s author Beatrix Potter, along with other nearby attractions such as the Beatrix Potter Gallery and Hawkshead Grammar School—now a museum—where a young William Wordsworth’s carved his name into a wooden desk. Some tours combine a visit to Hawkshead with other literary sights in the Lake District, such as Dove Cottage or Rydal Mount (both former homes of William Wordsworth), or with a boat cruise on the nearby Lake Windermere.
Things to know before you go
- Hawkshead Village is a must-do for Beatrix Potter fans.
- The center of Hawkshead is pedestrianized and is best explored on foot.
- There are restrooms, parking, and pubs serving food in the village.
How to get there
Hawkshead is in the center of the Lake District, just west of Lake Windermere. Driving from Kendal takes about 40 minutes. The 505 Stagecoach bus travels between Coniston and Kendal, stopping at Hawkshead along the way.
When to get there
Hawkshead Village is busiest between June and September as summer vacationers flock to the Lake District. To avoid the biggest crowds, go in May or October instead.
Hill Top Farm
Situated in Near Sawrey, just a short hop from Hawkshead village, this 17th-century farmhouse—now owned by England’s National Trust—was once home to children’s author and Peter Rabbit creator, Beatrix Potter. The interior of the farmhouse has been kept as it was upon Potter’s death in 1943, and features various objects belonging to the author, including her sketches and personal effects.
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