Hawkshead has flourished from its beginnings as a Medieval market town.
Today Hawkshead, with its car-free village centre, is the perfect place for the visitor to experience the ‘real’ Lake District.
The cobbled streets, squares and courtyards of much of Hawkshead and the beautiful whitewashed cottages, topped with local Lakeland slate, give this little place a magical feel.
The village features a Beatrix Potter gallery , Hawkshead being only 3.2 km from Hill Top at Near Sawrey where Potter wrote many of her books.
Hawkshead also offers many shopping opportunities with items for sale ranging from local foods to climbing and walking paraphernalia.
Please click on the titles to visit websites.
The Honey Pot
Fiona Wilson and her family have been successfully running The Honeypot Deli shop in Hawkshead for over 30 years, continuing over 100 years tradition of retailing food from this 17th century building.
Go Ape at Grizedale Forest
Located to the east of Coniston Water and to the south of Hawkshead lies Grizedale Forest. Set in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Grizedale offers an unrivalled day out for everyone. Our jewel in the crown features Zip Trekking Adventure – a network of seven tandem zip lines that traverse the sky-scraping Douglas Firs of our Cumbrian hideaway.
Grizdale Forest
Grizedale Forest, in the heart of the Lake District, offers an unrivalled day out for everyone.You can find walking & cycling trails or simply discover a quiet spot to admire the wildlife, amazing sculptures, a place to relax and enjoy some great food.
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House
Enjoy the tale of Beatrix Potter by visiting Hill Top. Full of her favourite things, this house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to a picture in a ‘tale’.
Wray Castle
Mock-Gothic castle sitting on the shores of Lake Windermere with turrets, towers and informal grounds
Hawkshead Grammar School
The museum in the Old Grammar School building in the village of Hawkshead, Cumbria, houses a unique collection of historic artifacts relating to the ancient School, some of which date back to the sixteenth century.
Beatrix Potter Gallery
Step inside this charming old building to enjoy an exhibition of Beatrix Potter’s original drawings and watercolours. This year the new exhibition celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter and displays original artwork inspired by her love of nature.
Brantwood
A historic house, museum and vibrant centre for the arts, Ruskin’s former home has a wealth of things to see and do for the whole family.
The Fitzwilliam Gallery
Art loving couple Tim and Denise Hardy bring more than 35 years experience in the art world to their Fitzwilliam Fine Art galleries in picturesque Hawkshead and Grasmere.
PLACES TO EAT
Sun Inn
Located in the charming un-spoilt village of Hawkshead, our lovely 17th Centuary Inn has everything to offer those looking for an ideal break or holiday away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Sun Cottage Village Chippy
Fish & Chip Shop
Kings Head Inn
Oak beams, an open fire and friendly faces greet visitors as they walk through the door of this 500-year-old Inn, which has eight comfortable bedrooms. The peaceful Square outside is access only for cars, but parking is easy with our hotel permit in the pay and display car park nearby.
Queens Head
Our restaurant, awarded an AA rosette, has a menu to suit all tastes. Each dish is devised and perfected by our head chef Rob and is designed to utilise local ingredients from local suppliers. Whether it’s a light lunch or an evening meal, The Queen’s Head offers a warm welcome and good food to those in search of a relaxed and traditionally English environment.
Red Lion
We offer comfortable & clean accommodation that is full of character. Choose from bed and breakfast or bed, breakfast & evening meal options with traditional home cooked food, a wide range of wines & spirits and superbly kept cask ales from around the area ~ see the ‘Good Beer Guide 2016’.
Poppy Red
A warm and welcoming café that sells a delicious range of cakes and pastries. Great for a quick espresso and even better to sit and relax with a pot of tea.
The Cat Kittchen
KITTchEN has been serving up the purrfect combo of pussy & pints.
We are an independent bar, supporting independent breweries,
and home to our family of seven rescue cats.
The Minstrels Gallery
The tearoom is in the older part of Hawkshead. Formerly known as Crown and Mitre Cottage as it is believed to have been one of the many pubs in the village.
