Hawkshead

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The Lake District National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the village of Hawkshead is generally considered to be one of the prettiest in England.

It has altered little in 300 years when, as a thriving market town, its prosperity was built on the wool industry. The historic and picturesque village of Hawkshead is in a conservation area, which ensures the preservation of its old whitewashed houses and 3 inns. The cobbled alleyways and narrow streets are closed to through traffic, thus ensuring safe and pleasant exploration of the village.

Hawkshead village has many literary connections - William Wordsworth was a pupil at the Old Grammar School, which was founded in 1585 by the Archbishop of York. Just outside the village, overlooking Coniston Water, lived John Rushkin. His home at Brantwood is open to the public, so too is Hill Top, the house at Far Sawrey where Beatrix Potter lived. The famous author of children's books was an early sponsor and benefactor of the National Trust. The Beatrix Potter Gallery houses an exhibition of the author's original illustraions in a period setting. Hawkshead village has a post office, newsagent, pharmacy, doctor, a small supermarket, book shop and several pubs serving meals. It is also possible to hire bicycles in the village. There is a branch of Barclays Bank at Coniston; other banks are to be found in Ambleside and Windermere.

Other places nearby include Ambleside, with its arts and craft shops, wealth of restaurants and shops; Grasmere, a little further, with its beautiful church and gingerbread (!) and home of William Wordsworth; and bustling Windermere.