Hawkshead Walking Tour by Cumbria Tourist Guides

About

The guided walking tour of the fascinating and historic village of Hawkshead begins at the tourism information boards in the main town car park.

You will visit the fascinating 16th century Grammar School with its tales of teaching Mathematics and the Classics (and cockfighting between lessons!). Here William Wordsworth and his brother went to school and had many happy and inspiring experiences.  Hawkshead was originally founded  by the Vikings, but the ancient church of St. Michael and All Angels dates back in parts to the 12th century. The church dominates the village, and inside your guide will point out several fascinating artifacts and features. Visitors are encouraged to make voluntary donations to the church.

After visiting the church, the tour continues through the village's winding streets and ginnels, lined with delightful shops, spinning galleries, and cafes. Your guide will reveal the history behind the buildings including Ann Tyson's House, the Beatrix Potter gallery, Flag Street and 'Leather Rag and Putty Street'. We will also walk to the Monastic Gate House, once belonging to the monks of Furness Abbey which was a major landowner and trader in wool in the Middle Ages.

Please be aware there are some steep streets and narrow pavements and some areas where there are no pavements. 

Scheduled public walks have been replaced with bespoke group options to meet visitor demand. All walks will be 1.5 - 2 hours long.

Join a qualified Cumbria Blue Badge Guide and discover what makes Hawkshead so special.
For enquiries and a quote please email info@cumbriatouristguides.org 

Please state the required date, time, and group size , including the number of children under 14.

Enquiries are welcome from  families, friendship groups and from organisations. Group size is limited to 20, but if there is demand a second guide will be sourced.

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