Hawkshead and Claife

Hawkshead and Claife is a National Trust property in Cumbria featuring Claife Station, a ruin overlooking Lake Windermere where each room contains colored glass representing different seasons. The village of Hawkshead contains historic buildings including a former school and art gallery, surrounded by walking paths through nearby woodlands.

Hawkshead developed as a medieval village and later became known as a wool-trading center, while the school was founded in 1585 to educate local boys. Claife Station was built in the 19th century as a viewing station and later converted into cultural heritage property.

The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead displays original drawings and illustrations created by the author during her time in the Lake District. Visitors can see the artwork that shaped her famous children's books.

The village center is car-free, with parking available on the outskirts for visitors arriving by vehicle. Most walking paths are easy to navigate and pass through open countryside with occasional shaded areas.

Some rooms in Claife Station are filled with panes of glass in different color tones that filter sunlight differently, allowing visitors to view the landscape through various colored lenses. This unusual installation was a Victorian experiment to demonstrate how color changes perception of the natural world.

GPS coordinates: 54.35100,-2.94230

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:45