Hawkshead, village and civil parish in Cumbria, United Kingdom
Hawkshead is a small village in South Lakeland with narrow stone streets, overhanging gables, and buildings from multiple centuries arranged around a hill with a church at its top. The streets form an interconnected pattern where pedestrians are the main activity and cars are kept out of the centre.
The village started during Norse times and was later controlled by Furness Abbey until the monks departed in the 1600s. King James I granted it a market charter in 1608, which made it an important trading centre for wool and other goods.
The name Hawkshead comes from Old Norse meaning 'hawk's hill'. The narrow streets with their overhanging gables show the medieval layout, and the village squares are where locals and visitors naturally gather in cafes and pubs throughout the day.
The centre is pedestrian-friendly as cars are kept out, but there is a car park just outside the village for visitors. The place is easily accessible with several tearooms, pubs and shops spread across the narrow streets, making exploration on foot pleasant.
William Wordsworth attended the grammar school here and carved his initials into a desk that is still visible in the schoolroom today. This direct connection to the famous poet draws literature enthusiasts who want to follow in his footsteps.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
