It was a familiar joke by my brother-in-law, that our family couldn't visit Cumbria without a trip to Hawkshead!

The centre of Hawkshead is car free - there is a pay and display car park very close by, although Hawkshead is known as one of Cumbria's honeypots so expect it to be busy!

There are one or two good specialty shops in Hawkshead such as the Hawkshead Outdoor shop and the Hawkshead Relish shop.

In addition to being a very pretty Cumbrian village, Hawkshead is steeped in history.

William Wordsworth was educated at Hawkshead Grammar School.

Beatrix Potter, who lived nearby in Sawrey, was married to William Heelis who was a solicitor in Hawskshead. His former solicitor's office now displaying many of Beatrix Potter's original water colours and sketches.

Windermere - Hawkshead

If you are visiting Hawkshead from Windermere, then it is fun (and quicker....unless the queue is very long!) to take the Windermere ferry. (Please note no service 25 / 26 Dec : check timetable here.)