The Area & Activities – Hawkrigg Farm

the Local Area & Activities

The local Area & Activities- Relax and explore the Lake District. England’s largest National Park. There is so much to see and do here, a full list would be endless, so we have chosen some of our favourite places to see and things to do as suggestions. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

Walking & Hiking

The quiet country lanes, secluded lakes and expansive woodland on the west shores of Lake Windermere offer dozens of trails whilst those who are after a more energetic fell climb have a vast choice of routes to challenge them. Here are a few ideas:

Beautiful Tarn Hows, once owned by Beatrix Potter has wheelchair- and buggy-accessible lakeside paths, and is well worth the away by car. More information can be found here: www.thelakedistrict.org/things-to-do/walks/tarn-hows-circuit/

Moss Eccles Tarn is easily reachable on foot from Hawkrigg Farm. Beatrix Potter spent many happy hours here on her little fishing boat, sketching, drawing and exploring the area. Walk in her footsteps and appreciate its beauty and maybe take the return route to Hawkrigg via her home Hilltop or grab a cake and cup of tea at the Belle Green Café nearby. For more information visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trails/beatrix-potters-moss-eccles-tarn-walk

Walk around Rydal water and explore some amazing caves. Please see: www.thelakedistrict.org/things-to-do/walks/white-moss/

Spend some time exploring Coniston and from there make your way up to the Coppermine Valley where the remains of quarries are still in evidence, waterfalls are plentiful and the views are incredible. More information can be found here: www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_252.html

Head over to Windermere and make your way up to Gummers How to bag yourself the most incredible views of the Lake from the highest overlooking point, visit:

https://www.lakeswalks.co.uk/walks/gummers_how/

From Ambleside centre you can walk to Stockghyll Force Waterfall and surrounding forest, please see: www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_132.html

If you want to walk off a gorgeous lunch or afternoon tea at Chesters by the River then take the path by the side of the café along the River Brathay to Elterwater at the foot of the Langdales. More information can be found here: www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/chesters-by-the-river-walk-walking-route

Or from Grasmere centre enjoy after a climb up to Easdale Tarn past the Sour Milk falls – this is one for those who are a bit fitter and want a bit of a challenge that is doable and ultimately rewarding. You might need to stop to catch your breath on this one but it is worth it. Discover it here: www.walkingenglishman.com/lakes15.htm

Though slightly further away, a walk around Buttermere or Crummock water will prove truly memorable. View here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buttermere-valley/trails/lanthwaite-wood-and-crummock-water-walk

For a brilliant list of walks/climbs/ challenges etc. try this link: where2walk.co.uk/complete-list-of-lake-district-walks/

DINING OUT

If you want a break from cooking, there are wide variety of excellent pubs and restaurants in the local area serving delicious food and ales, with locally sourced ingredients.

The two pubs that are within walking distance from Hawkrigg Farm are:

The Cuckoo Brow Inn

(approx. 7 minute walk)

The Tower Bank Arms

(approx. 20 minute walk)

Slightly further and easily accessible by car there are many fabulous pubs. The following three are in the village of Hawkshead:

The Queenshead, Hawkshead

The Red Lion, Hawkshead

The Sun Inn, Hawkshead

The Drunken Duck Inn, Between Hawkshead & Ambleside

For Brunch / Lunch try:

Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge

The Apple Pie Cafe, Ambleside

Homeground, Windermere

The Stove, Langdale Hotel

Vegetarians have a great choice in Ambleside with Zefferellis or Fellinis

Also in Ambleside there are two great Japanese restaurants:

Wasabi Restaurant, Ambleside

Auradaze, Ambleside

Or for those who love dessert, you cannot get a better choice than at Lucy on a Plate – their main courses are delicious too!

Lucy’s of Ambleside

For Fine Dining and sophistication there are a few Michelin starred Restaurants within driving distance:

Rogan & Co.

The Samling hotel

The Gilpin

Lenclume

SAILING & WATERSPORTS

Watersports of all kinds – including rowing, sailing and canoeing – can be found on any of the three major lakes – Windermere, Coniston Water and Ullswater – all within a short drive from Hawkrigg Farm. Windermere also offers waterskiing and wakeboarding for more adventurous guests.

A wonderful and unique Sail ‘N’ Dine experience is available on Windermere, hosted by skipper John Haworth. Choose a Brunch Buffet or evening Sail ‘N’ Dine – booking essential. (info@sailndine.co.uk)

Coniston Boating Centre; – Just outside the pretty village of Coniston this boating centre provides electric self drive boats, rowing boats, dinghies, canoes and kayaks right on the shores of Coniston Water. There are also picnic areas and a cafe close by. More information can be found here www.conistonboatingcentre.co.uk

Enjoy the stunning scenery around Ullswater by hiring a boat from the northern shores at Lakeland Boat Hire. They supply a wide range of boats including luxury motor boats and Canadian canoes! Mor e information can be found here: www.lakelandboathire.co.uk

ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

The lake District is a magical place for children and memories are made from exploring the scenery or even better enjoying the scenery whilst enjoying a picnic!! There are lots of activities in the area to keep kids occupied. Here are some ideas:

Grizedale Forest

Explore the stunning Grizedale Forest/ rent a bike/ brave the Go APE treetop adventures & zipwires/ zoom around on Segway

Beatrix Potter Hilltop House

Located just up the road from Hawkrigg Farm, visit Beatrix’s house at Hilltop or immerse yourself in her wonderful characters at The World of Beatrix Potter

Brockhole Adventures

Fabulous outdoor adventures can be had at Brockhole. There’s so much to do!

Lakeside Activites

Just down the road at Lakeside you can ride a steam train / do a boat cruise or visit their fab Aquarium

Rainy Day Activities

On rainy days you might think about using up energy indoors. Here are three great options:

LAKE CRUISES

Lake cruses are available on all three lakes:

www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

www.conistonlaunch.co.uk

www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

HISTORIC TOURS

There are many historic houses and gardens within a few miles of Hawkrigg Farm, including many National Trust properties.

Wray Castle is a mock-Gothic castle sitting on the shores of lake Windermere with turrets, towers and informal grounds. With expansive views and connections with Beatrix Potter who used to stay there, it’s a unique and different experience. Kids can dress up in medieval garb and run from room to room. Why not arrive by boat on Windermere Lake Cruises.

Brantwood on the shores of Coniston Water was home to painter, philanthropist and social thinker John Ruskin for the last 28 years of his life from 1872 to 1900.

The Ruskin Museum in the village of Coniston has more about the great man, as well as exhibits on ‘Swallows and Amazons’ author Arthur Ransome and Donald Campbell’s world water speed records.

One of the most famous is Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s home in picturesque Near Sawrey where she lived from 1896. A number of sites in the village were used in her books such as The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Fairy Caravan, The Pie and the Patty Pan and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.

Her original paintings are housed at the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead.

Poet William Wordsworth’s newly restored house, Allan Bank, opened to the public for the first time in 2012. It’s a uniquely relaxed property on the banks of Grasmere, home not only to Wordsworth but also National Trust founder Canon Rawnsley.

On the opposite shore of Grasmere is Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s first family home, an immaculately preserved example of a 19th Century cottage with stone floors, wood paneling and open fires.

Townend in Troutbeck is a traditional Cumbrian farmhouse, little changed in over the 400 years.

Lovers of gardens will enjoy Holehird Gardens, the Lakeland Horticultural Garden near Windermere in its superb Lakeland setting.

When the architect MH Baillie Scott built a holiday home overlooking Windermere for his client Sir Edward Holt he created Blackwell, a masterpiece of twentieth-century design; a perfect example of the Arts & Crafts Movement.