Things to do in Hawkshead
Hawkshead is a car-free village of cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages, with the Beatrix Potter Gallery and the old Grammar School in the centre, Hill Top 3.2 km away, and Grizedale Forest just to the south.
The village
Hawkshead has grown from its beginnings as a medieval market town. Today its car-free centre is one of the best places to experience the real Lake District: cobbled streets, squares and courtyards, and whitewashed cottages topped with local Lakeland slate give the village a magical feel.
There's plenty of shopping too, from local food to climbing and walking gear, and of course our own shop and coffee shop on Main Street.
In and around Hawkshead
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Beatrix Potter Gallery
In the village itself: an exhibition of Beatrix Potter's original drawings and watercolours, in a charming old building.
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Hill Top
Beatrix Potter's house at Near Sawrey, 3.2 km from Hawkshead, where she wrote many of her books. Full of her favourite things, it looks as if she has just stepped out for a walk, and every room links to a picture in one of the tales.
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Hawkshead Grammar School
The museum in the Old Grammar School building holds a unique collection of objects from the ancient school, some dating back to the sixteenth century.
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Grizedale Forest
East of Coniston Water and south of Hawkshead. Walking and cycling trails, sculptures, wildlife, quiet spots and good food, plus Go Ape, whose zip trekking course runs seven tandem zip lines through the Douglas firs.
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Brantwood
John Ruskin's former home: a historic house, museum and lively arts centre with plenty for the whole family to see and do.
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Wray Castle
A mock-Gothic castle on the shore of Windermere, with turrets, towers and informal grounds.
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The Honey Pot
Fiona Wilson and her family have run The Honeypot deli in Hawkshead for over 30 years, continuing more than a century of selling food from this 17th-century building.
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Fitzwilliam Gallery
Tim and Denise Hardy bring over 35 years in the art world to their Fitzwilliam Fine Art galleries in Hawkshead and Grasmere.
Start the day with chocolate
Our family workshops run on the hour from 10am and last 30 to 40 minutes, so they fit neatly around a day out.