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Hawkshead
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48_hawkshead.jpg
A snowy day at Hawkshead

Town: Hawkshead
Region: Southern Lakes
County: Cumbria
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Full Description: Hawkshead is located 5 miles south of Ambleside and adjacent to the hamlet of Near Sawrey. The village of Hawkshead is a timeless place of charm and character. It boasts whitewashed buildings, alleyways, narrow streets, courtyards, quaint corners, and cobbled streets. Its beauty attracts many visitors year after year and is really should be included on any Lake District National Park visitors itinerary.

The village was once an important market town related to the wool industry, is now a popular tourists area, in particular due to its association with William Wordsworth who whilst living in Hawkshead was inspired to write some of his earliest poems.

The Old Grammar school where William Wordsworth was a pupil and the cottage of Ann Tyson where he lodged are located in Hawkshead. Visitors can see the original school desks, including the one that Wordsworth carved his name into the lid.

Adjacent to the school is the16th Century St. Michaels church, which boasts an interesting collection of wall paintings – well worth a visit.

Several Hawkshead buildings and land overlooking Esthwaite Water were given to the National Trust by Beatrix Potter. A Beatrix Potter Gallery displaying her original drawings and information about her life located in the village and open to visitors.

Cars are banned from the centre of Hawkshead and the lack of traffic is especially pleasant and makes meandering around its narrow streets especially pleasant.

Hawkshead boasts an array of shops including: gift shops, outdoor/country wear and plenty of pubs and cafes. Excellent fishing is available picturesque Esthwaite Water.

In the summer months there is a fantastic floral display and the village came first in the ‘small village of the year' in the 2002 Britain in Bloom contest.

The surrounding countryside promises many delightful walks from gentle strolls to rugged hill climbing. Esthwaite Water is reached a via a public footpath from the village. The 9,000-acre Grizedale Forest lies just outside Hawkshead, and has picnic sites and nature trails plus possibly the UK’s largest collection of outdoor sculpture. To the northwest of Hawkshead you will find Tarn Hows (lake) which is a picturesque area with a gentle walk around the tarn itself.


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