Hawkshead Village – Wray Castle loop from Hawkshead
Hawkshead Village – Wray Castle loop from Hawkshead
4.9
(10)
131
hikers
Hawkshead Village – Wray Castle loop from Hawkshead
02:56
10.9km
120m
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: March 18, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
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Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
122 m
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
1.67 km
Loanthwaite Coppice
Forest
2.19 km
Outgate Inn
Highlight • Restaurant
Tip by
3.39 km
View of the Tarn, Lake District National Park
Highlight • Viewpoint
5.01 km
Lowray Honesty Cupboard
Highlight • Cafe
Tip by
5.51 km
View of Windermere
Highlight • Lake
5.61 km
Wray Castle
Highlight • Castle
Tip by
6.06 km
Wray Castle
Highlight • Castle
In 1882, the parents of Beatrix Potter decided to rent Wray Castle as a summer getaway from London and the family kept returning. Beatrix Potter's favourite room was allegedly the library.
It's not your typically National Trust property with gowns and dust-covers – it's far more hands-on and worth a day trip!
The gardens are pretty special too, with a ton of exotic trees and also a mulberry tree planted by William Wordsmith in 1845.
Tip by
7.60 km
Blelham Tarn
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
10.9 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.59 km
1.07 km
957 m
274 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
8.02 km
1.23 km
764 m
425 m
335 m
160 m
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Elevation
Highest point (100 m)
Lowest point (40 m)
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Weather
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Monday 18 May
16°C
9°C
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.