Hawkshead Walking Tour

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 (currently closed), 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.