Things to do in Hawkshead for a Weekend 

Sitting among the fells and forests off the western shore of Windermere and just north of Elterwater, Hawkshead village feels like it’s been lifted straight from a storybook. With cute cobblestoned streets, whitewashed cottages, homely pubs, and literary history, you can’t help but feel you’ve discovered somewhere secret, away from the usual tourist hotspots. 

So, apart from the village, are there places to visit near Hawkshead if you stay for a couple of days? Indeed, there are! Here’s an accessible two-day itinerary of how to spend a weekend (or any two days, really) in Hawkshead. 

Side note: Our Hawkshead itinerary assumes that you’ll arrive on a Friday evening and leave on a Sunday night, but you can tailor the schedule to suit your trip. 

Friday evening – arrive in Hawkshead & settle in

You’ll arrive in Hawkshead as the day winds down, and the time of year you visit will determine whether it’s sunset or not. But the light in the village looks especially pretty in the softer evening light. If you have nabbed yourself one of the lovely rental cottages in Hawkshead, park up at your property and drop your bags to head straight into the village.

Start your weekend with supper at one of the inviting Hawkshead pubs. For a small village, you’re surprisingly spoilt for choice when it comes to pubs with good food. Here are our recommendations:

• The Queen’s Head Hawkshead –  always a welcoming atmosphere and reliably great for classic pub food.
• The Red Lion Inn Hawkshead – rustic, full of history, character and excellent options for vegetarians.
• The Sun Inn – original low-beamed ceilings, hearty portions and a quintessential village pub vibe.

After decompressing in one of the pubs in Hawkshead, a lovely way to end the evening is with a gentle stroll through the village lanes. Hawkshead at night is peaceful and atmospheric – an exciting first taste of the weekend ahead.

Saturday – discover the heart of Hawkshead

For your first full day, our itinerary keeps things comfortably close to your Hawkshead accommodation so you can fully enjoy everything the village and its surroundings have to offer. Here’s our plan for your day, at a glance:

• Breakfast at a Hawkshead café
• Discover things to do around Hawkshead within walking distance
• Gather goodies at Hawkshead shops
• Take in the views up Latterbarrow
• Enjoy a relaxing evening meal in a Hawkshead restaurant

Morning: history & village wandering

If you fancy going out for breakfast, one of the cafes in Hawkshead – Poppi Red, Ginny’s Teapot, or Minstrels Gallery – all have good options for a variety of diets. Poppi Red Hawkshead have particularly good reviews for vegans. 

With a satisfied tummy, you’ll be ready to dive into the village’s literary heritage with a visit to Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, where William Wordsworth was once a student. You can still see carved initials in the old wooden desks and browse historic school artefacts.

From there, it’s an easy stroll up the slope to St Michael All Angels Church. The elevation of this beautiful 12th-century building and its quaint graveyard means it boasts lovely views over the rooftops of Hawkshead towards Esthwaite Water.

Midday: exploring Hawkshead shops & local treats

After a couple of hours exploring, you’ll probably be ready to have a bite to eat again. Make your way into the main square, where you’ll find the Hawkshead village shops. Have a mosey around them and pick out some bits for a picnic lunch and souvenirs for your trip. 

Check out Hawkshead Relish Co., famous for its chutneys, jams and sauces (many of which are award-winning!). Leave some space in your bags for equally delicious artisanal treats from The Honeypot. With your lunchbox taken care of, pick up something sweet at The Chocolate Factory Hawkshead for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. If you have time, check out their chocolate-making workshops as well.

Afternoon: walks, views & woodland 

Now it’s time to head out into the hills. There are so many excellent walks near Hawkshead, but true to our earlier promise, we want to show you one of the direct walks from Hawkshead village.

Latterbarrow is a gentle but scenic climb directly from the village to an obelisk-topped summit. The views from the top, spanning Hawkshead, Windermere, and the surrounding fells are gorgeous. It’s a circular 4-mile/6.5 km route (via woodland on the descent) that brings you back to Hawkshead, so you don’t need transport. 

For this walk, we recommend walking boots or sturdy shoes, especially for the uneven forest and fell paths.

Evening: relaxing in the village 

After arriving back into the village, it’s time to relax before heading out for dinner. We love Billy’s Barr & Restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious cocktails and wine with some of the best food in Hawkshead. If you’re staying in one of the cottages to rent in Hawkshead and fancy a leisurely home-cooked meal instead, maybe treat yourself to a spot of fresh air afterwards and an evening dessert or drink out in the village. It has a wonderfully slow, peaceful rhythm at night.

Sunday – Beatrix Potter, lakeside walks & iconic views

Hopefully, you’ll have slept like a baby and are ready for your second full day of fun in Hawkshead. Where you choose to breakfast might depend on your Hawkshead accommodation. After you’ve eaten and topped up on caffeine, we show you more of what to do in Hawkshead while staying delightfully close to the village. Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll do today:

• Be delighted at the Beatrix Potter House and wander to a cute tarn
• Visit a Victorian castle and meander the shores of Windermere
• Enjoy the best roast dinner in Hawkshead

Morning: Hill Top Farm & surrounding landscapes

After a relaxed Sunday breakfast, head to Hill Top in Near Sawrey. Beatrix Potter’s House is a 17th-century heirloom, carefully preserved by the National Trust. The interior feels like Potter could still live there, and the garden is beautifully kept. Both take you straight to the stories that made her a national treasure. 

From Near Swarey, you can easily loop in visiting Moss Eccles Tarn. It’s under a mile on foot there and makes a lovely pairing with Hill Top, as Beatrix Potter owned it and often sketched here.

Midday: take it to the castle

For a change of scenery, take the short drive to Wray Castle on the shores of Windermere. This Gothic revival building, built in the mid-19th century, is an intriguing mix of architectural styles typical of Victorian times. Even though the castle is currently closed (at the time of writing) for interior renovation, the grounds and lakeside paths are open and perfect for exploring. 

Wray Castle is a lovely spot to paddle your feet in Windermere, if the weather’s warm enough. You can also grab a bite to eat for lunch from Joeys Café at Wray Castle – a well-known spot with friendly staff and plenty of delicious veggie and vegan options. 

Afternoon: last tastes of Hawkshead

Return to Hawkshead for a final wander and a quick stop at the unmissable Grasmere Gingerbread Hawkshead shop to pick up a sweet memory of your visit.

No visit to the Lake District would be complete without a delicious Sunday Roast. Collect your car and head to one of our favourite pubs near Hawkshead – The Drunken Duck Inn. We recommend booking ahead, though, as it is popular and gets busy. 

After you’ve eaten, take a stroll and breathe in the last of the fresh Lakeland air, and then head home feeling relaxed, well-fed, and full of new memories.

Extra ideas for a two-night stay in Hawkshead

We think our two-day Hawkshead itinerary is a great way for newbies to enjoy the area, full of low-cost, accessible activities and ways to soak up the scenery. But here are some suggestions for alternative Hawkshead things to do. 

• For some high-energy fun, Graythwaite Adventure offers 4×4 driving experiences, archery, axe-throwing and woodland activities just a short distance from Hawkshead.
• For a longer but still accessible walk, Tarn Hows is one of the most scenic walks in the Lakes – an easy circuit around a mirrored tarn surrounded by lush woodland.
• If you’re visiting in December, Hawkshead hosts a Christmas Fair with lanterns, stalls, mulled wine, and a wonderfully festive atmosphere.
• If your stay includes a Wednesday or Sunday and you’re up for something spooky, book onto one of the local ghost walks run by Kittchen. They wind through Hawkshead’s ginnels and old courtyards, telling tales of mysterious happenings and local legends.
• Just a short drive away is Grizedale Forest. With miles of walking and biking trails, a sculpture trail, and even a Go Ape high-ropes course, there’s tons to enjoy here if you’re craving a bit of adventure.

Where to stay in Hawkshead

A weekend in Hawkshead always seems to fly by, but that’s part of its magic. The Lake District has a way of slowing everything down so life feels more simple. Increase that sense of ease by booking one of our Hawkshead cottages. Much better than hotels in Hawkshead, a holiday cottage gives you a luxury home-from-home experience, and the space and freedom to come and go as you please. With plenty of dog friendly accommodation in Hawkshead, you can even bring your furry friend along. 

To find dreamy Hawkshead holiday cottages, chat to one of our friendly team today!.