Hawkshead cottages

Holidays in Hawkshead

Hawkshead cottages, lodges, accommodation and places to stay

Located between two of the region’s most popular lakes, Lake Windermere and Coniston Water, and set in the magnificent valley of Esthwaite, Hawkshead is one of the prettiest villages you will find in the Lake District, and our Hawkshead cottages are the perfect base to explore the National Park from. Visitors will simply love wandering the streets of this quintessentially English village, adorned with medieval squares and alleyways lined with 17th century buildings; 38 of these have been declared to be of architectural and historical interest. As you wander through the traffic-free streets you’ll be enchanted by the clusters of whitewashed houses, courtyards and buildings teeming with character.

Established in the medieval period as a wool town, in later years the area inspired two of the country’s best-loved writers, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, with two of the village’s top attractions paying homage to the latter. Hill Top is a 17th century farmhouse in nearby Near and Far Sawrey and Potter’s former home, and is a fascinating time capsule of her life; from here it is easy to picture the characters from her books. Meanwhile, at the National Trust Beatrix Potter Gallery, you can learn more about her life through original drawings, watercolours and exhibitions.

The best places to stay in Hawkshead

For a small village, Hawkshead packs a big punch. With close connections to some of the Lake District’s most famous former residents, the location is the ideal base if you loved Beatrix Potter’s stories as a child, or if you get lost in William Wordsworth’s poetry as an adult.  A museum of William Wordsworth resides in his former school, while Beatrix Potter is also honoured in the one-time law office of her husband. Children will delight in discovering the settings for some of Beatrix’s tales or getting messy at the Chocolate Factory. Popular Lake District destinations such as Coniston, Windermere and Tarn Hows are an easy drive or bus ride away from your self-catering Hawkshead cottage, allowing you to easily explore the stunning South Lakes.

We have lots of Hawkshead cottages for you to choose from which will offer you a wonderful base to get out and explore from. Cuddle up in a romantic Hawkshead cottage with waterside views, find a lodge to rent near one of the many popular lakes and try your hand at fishing, or get a group of friends together and make a holiday to remember in one of our cottages with a hot tub. Our cottages suit both long holidays and short breaks, being dotted all over the Lake District and National park. Take your pick from our amazing collection.