Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Hawkshead (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Hill Top, Grizedale Forest, and Esthwaite Water. Also, be sure to include Beatrix Potter Gallery in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Hawkshead (England).
Table of Contents
Hill Top
Museum in Near and Far Sawrey, England. Hill Top is a 17th-century house in Near Sawrey near Hawkshead, in the English county of Cumbria. It is an example of Lakeland vernacular architecture with random stone walls and slate roof. The house was once the home of children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter who left it to the National Trust. It is a Grade II* listed building. It is open to the public as a writer's house museum, shown as Beatrix Potter herself would have known it.
The Hill Top garden is of interest, being maintained in a style in keeping with Potter's illustrations.[1]
Address: Near Sawrey, LA22 0LF Ambleside
Grizedale Forest
Grizedale Forest is a 24.47 km2 area of woodland in the Lake District of North West England, located to the east of Coniston Water and to the south of Hawkshead. It is made up of a number of hills, small tarns and the settlements of Grizedale and Satterthwaite. It is owned and managed by Forestry England and is a popular tourist destination with waymarked footpaths, mountain biking, an aerial assault course, a 16-bed hostel, and a visitor centre with a children's playground, education centre, café and shop. The car-parking of Grizedale Forest Visitors Centre is situated on the site of the former Grizedale Hall where its remains can be still seen.
In past years, several stages on the WRC RAC Rally were held on tracks through Grizedale Forest every winter. The forest continues to be used for two annual rallies: the Malcolm Wilson Rally and the Grizedale Stages Rally, based in Coniston.[2]
Esthwaite Water
Lake in England. Esthwaite Water is one of the smaller and lesser known lakes in the Lake District National Park in northern England. It is situated between the much larger lakes of Windermere and Coniston Water, in the traditional county of Lancashire; since 1974 in the county of Cumbria. To the north is the village of Hawkshead and to the west is Grizedale Forest.
The lake covers around 280 acres (1.1 km2) and is known for its excellent fishing, particularly trout and pike. It has been designated as a site of special scientific interest.[3]
Beatrix Potter Gallery
Orignal drawings by children's author. The Beatrix Potter Gallery is a gallery run by the National Trust and in a 17th-century stone-built house in Hawkshead, Cumbria, England. It is dedicated to presenting original book illustrations by Beatrix Potter.
On display are original sketches and watercolours painted by Potter for her children's stories as well as artifacts and information relating to her life and work. The display changes annually. The 17th-century building is listed grade II. It was at one time the law office of Potter's husband, William Heelis. Its interior remains substantially unaltered.[4]
Address: Beatrix Potter Gallery Main Street, LA22 0NS Hawkshead
St Michael and All Angels Church
Church in Hawkshead, England. St Michael and All Angels Church is in the village of Hawkshead, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Windermere, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of four local parishes to form the Benefice of Hawkshead with Low Wray and Sawrey and Rusland and Satterthwaite. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. Hyde and Pevsner, in the Buildings of England series, describe it as being "one of the best Lake District churches".[5]
Address: 1863 Main St, LA22 0PQ Ambleside
Hawkshead Grammar School
School in Hawkshead, England. Hawkshead Grammar School in Hawkshead, Cumbria, England was founded in 1585 by Archbishop Edwin Sandys, of York, who petitioned a charter from Queen Elizabeth I to set up a governing body. The early School taught Latin, Greek and sciences, including arithmetic and geometry. Although the School closed in 1909, the building functions today as Hawkshead Grammar School Museum and is open to the public.
The building is Grade II* listed[6]
Address: Main Street, Hawkshead
Go Ape Grizedale
Park
Address: Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead