Tarn Hows – Hawkshead Village loop from Hawkshead
Tarn Hows – Hawkshead Village loop from Hawkshead
4.8
(47)
247
hikers
Tarn Hows – Hawkshead Village loop from Hawkshead
03:13
11.5km
230m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: July 31, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
861 m
Keen Ground Wood
Forest
3.54 km
View of Tarn Hows
Highlight • Viewpoint
3.54 km
View of Tarn Hows from Rose Castle
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4.56 km
Bridge and bench overlooking Tarn Hows
Highlight • Bridge
5.10 km
Penny tree stump
Highlight • Structure
(Mixed Grill)
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5.79 km
View of Tarn Hows
Highlight • Viewpoint
5.81 km
Scenic Lake in Lake District National Park
Highlight • Lake
5.88 km
Tarn Hows
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
9.01 km
Round Parrock Wood
Forest
11.3 km
Hawkshead Village
Highlight • Settlement
Hawkshead is still the same tiny village of higgledy-piggledy houses, archways, and squares beloved by William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Cars are banned from the village, there being a large car park on the outskirts of the village. Tourism is now the main industry of Hawkshead, with many pleasant inns, guest houses, teashops and gift shops.
Whilst at school in Hawkshead, William lodged with Ann Tyson and her husband, who were in their sixties, first in the village, then at Colthouse where they moved in 1783. Anne Tyson’s cottage is now used as a holiday cottage.
The Old Grammar School was founded in 1585 by the Archbishop of York, Edwin Sandys. The ground floor classroom retains many old desks covered in carving done by the boys, including the poet William Wordsworth and his brother John. The school closed in 1909. Upstairs in the headmaster’s study and a classroom containing an exhibition relating to the history of the school, the founder and William Wordsworth.
The Beatrix Potter Gallery, a 17th Century building, was once the office of the local solicitor William Heelis, who married Beatrix Potterin 1913, and has remained largely unaltered since his day. The Gallery, now owned byThe National Trust, houses an annually changing exhibition of a selection of Beatrix Potter’s original drawings and illustrations. The National Trust also own many other buildings in the village, thus preserving its almost museum like air.
About half a mile out of Hawkshead is the hamlet of Colthouse. Here is one of the oldest Quaker meeting houses in Cumbria.
The 17th Century Church of St Michael & All Angels stands high looking out over the village, and has fine views to Esthwaite Water, Claife Heights, Latterbarrow, Helvellyn and the Langdales.
Tip by
11.5 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.67 km
2.12 km
387 m
164 m
111 m
Surfaces
6.43 km
2.40 km
1.74 km
761 m
127 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (230 m)
Lowest point (70 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Monday 24 August
21°C
10°C
12 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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