Central Lakes Tour Hawkshead & Grasmere

CENTRAL LAKES TOUR HAWKSHEAD & GRASMERE

A picturesque route encompassing four lakes and the former homes of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.

Our first port of call is the picturesque village of Sawrey, where you will find Hill Top the former home of Beatrix Potter. Hill Top is now a National Trust Property, and this charming traditional Lake District farmhouse and garden was the source of inspiration for many of Beatrix Potter’s books.

The tour continues on to the ancient village of Hawkshead, where you will find an assortment of small attractions. The village itself is lovely to walk round and there are plenty of places to stop for a coffee.

Continue on to Grasmere, via Ambleside, and explore Dove Cottage, the former home of William Wordsworth.

Journey time: Allow approximately 4 to 5 hours with stops to look round attractions.

POST CODES: • Hill Top, Sawrey near Hawkshead LA22 0LF

• Dove Cottage, Gramere LA22 9SH

• Storrs Hall LA23 3LG

ROUTE: • Turn left onto the A592 in the direction of Bowness-on-Village. After approximately one mile turn left for the car ferry (signed Hawkshead and Coniston B5285) - Buy your ticket for the car ferry before boarding – there are ticket machines near the departure point. Please note you will shortly be able to buy your ticket on board - When you have parked up on the ferry it is worth getting out of the car to admire the view

• After leaving the ferry follow the road past all the buildings, you will quickly come to a car park on the right hand side. It is worth stopping in this car park and walking up to the Claife Viewing Station. The views are fantastic and will also see Storrs Hall and the Temple of Heroes from a totally different angle. It is a short woodland path up to the viewing station so good walking shoes are recommended

• Continue on the B5285 to Sawrey, where you will find Hill Top. The car park is located in the centre of the village on the left hand side and you collect your entrance ticket from the booth on the car park. Please note entry to Hill Top operates on a timed ticket system. We recommend visiting early in the morning (around 10 am) to avoid queuing

• Continue along the B5285 to Hawkshead. Look out for Esthwaite Water on your left as you leave Sawrey. The lake is only 1.5 miles long and 80 feet deep, but in the spring and summer months you may be lucky enough to see Ospreys diving to catch fish in the lake!

Storrs Hall, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3LG Tel. 015394 47111 | Email. [email protected] | www.storrshall.com WHAT TO SEE IN HAWKSHEAD: • This traditional Lakeland village is full of character and well worth exploring. Conveniently there is a large pay & display car park (run by the National Park Authority) on the outskirts of the village

• The centre of Hawkshead has beautiful medieval buildings and cobbled pavements. Spend half an hour wondering around the network of ancient streets and small squares

• The Beatrix Potter Gallery. Beatrix Potter married Wiliam Heelis, a local solicitor. Her husband’s former office now belongs to the National Trust and is open to the public. You can buy a joint ticket to visit both the Gallery and Hill Top

• The Hawkshead Grammar school (now a museum). William Wordsworth attended this school and you can see where he carved his initials in his desk! The museum is open 10.30am to 13.00 – 13.30 to 17.00 and is closed on Sundays

• It is worth walking up to the church (St Micheal’s), to enjoy the views over the village and valley

ROUTE CONTINUED: • From Hawkshead continue on the B5285 to Ambleside

• To visit Grasmere head north on the A591. Just north of Ambleside you will come first to the hamlet of Rydal and Rydal Water - You have the option to visit Rydal Mount a former home of William Wordsworth. The turning is signed to your right. Park on the lane and walk up to Rydal Mount. If you go just beyond it you will find a path to your left known as the coffin route. If you walk a little way along this path you will be rewarded with the stunning views across Rydal and Grasmere - Rydal water is only a small lake but on a calm day the surface acts like a mirror, and the reflections are simply stunning

• Continue your journey north along the A591 to Grasmere

WHAT TO SEE IN GRASMERE: • Just outside the village, on the right, you will find Dove Cottage (LA22 9SH), possibly the most famous of William Wordsworth’s homes - Close by is the Wordsworth Museum, which houses a large collection of manuscripts, paintings and artefacts. Opened in 2005 the museum attracts scholars from around the world

• To visit the village, turn left off the A591 at the roundabout, and the National Park pay & display car park is on your right. It is then a short walk into the village centre

• St Oswald’s church – the earliest parts date back to the 13th century and Wordsworth’s grave is found in the churchyard. Every August, on the Saturday nearest 5th August (St Oswald’s day) there is a rush bearing ceremony. This ceremony dates back to the middle ages when rushes were used to cover the earthen floor and used to be changed at least once a year

• Walk through the churchyard and you will come to Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. This charming shop used to be the village school room

• A little further on from the Gingerbread shop on you come to the village green and an array of independent shops

TO RETURN: • Head south on the A591 back to Ambleside and then Windermere

• At the small roundabout (Cook’s Corner) join the A592 for Bowness-on-Windermere and head south through the village, down to the waterfront and on towards Newby Bridge. Storrs Hall (LA23 3LG) is located 1.5 miles from Bowness-on-Windermere on your right.

Storrs Hall, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3LG Tel. 015394 47111 | Email. [email protected] | www.storrshall.com