With the Lakes on your doorstep, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do
Whether hiking the fells, sampling the local cuisine of Hawkshead, cruising on Lake Windermere, taking a leisurely drive through Honister Pass, or soaking in the hot tub, we’ve got the perfect holiday for you.
Explore the local area
The village of Hawkshead lies in a highly attractive sheltered valley, at the head of Esthwaite Water. The surrounding scenery is some of the finest in the Lake District with Grizedale Forest to the south, Lake Windermere to the east and Lake Coniston to the west.
The following are some suggestions on the many activities and places to visit in the local area. Please find a list of links to other websites we hope you will find useful. We try to list sites that complement or augment the information on our site. The inclusion of an off-site link does not imply an endorsement of the website by Lakes Lodges Ltd, and we are not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness, or any opinions expressed on these linked sites. Please e-mail us if you would like to suggest or correct a link.
Walks
Tarn Hows
The well known and much loved Tarn Hows is a lovely walk from Hawkshead, and is a great place for a picnic, with its scenic backdrop of Coniston Old Man, around to the Langdales and the Fairfield Horseshoe. Left to National Trust by Beatrix Potter there is a reasonably level circular path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs with assistance.
Tarn Hows is also accessible by car and is just a 5-minute drive from Hawkshead village. The Lakes Lodges Reception has guided maps with directions to Tarn Hows and back from Hawkshead village, or our local team can direct you if you are driving.
Latterbarrow
Offering superb 360 degree views over Lake Windermere, Ambleside, Coniston, Fairfield and Kentmere Horseshoe, Latterbarrow is a favourite walk of many returning guests. At about 1.5miles from Hawkshead village it’s a short walk to the top with the option of extending the route if you want to take in the Windermere shore line, Moss Eccles Tarn or Blenheim Tarn, or enjoy an out and back walk under 2 hours.
The team in Reception have printed maps with directions starting from the village.
Grizedale Forest
The Forest is just south of the village and with the visitor centre, just a couple of miles drive it offers a great day out for all the family. There are walks for all abilities, including specially designed routes for wheelchair and pushchair users, and children will love the sculpture trail. There is superb off-road cycling for all the family with a selection of bikes for hire at the centre. For the adrenaline junkies, there is the fantastic North Face MTB trail. The Grizedale tree top adventure Go-Ape always proves a popular day out. Built on a side of a hill, it feels seriously high and that’s because it is. You’ll fly 200 metres across the top of the Grizedale Beck and marvel at the forest canopy 18 metres up a magnificent Douglas Fir.
Explore with AllTrails
Login and visit our AllTrails account www.alltrails.com/members/lakes-lodges where you can find routes for recommended walks around Hawkshead which are downloadable to your phone.
AllTrails has a free version of the app so you don’t need to subscribe. To do this once you have downloaded the app simply tap the “X” at the top of the screen to dismiss the subscription.
Fishing
Nearby Esthwaite Water is the largest stocked lake in the North West of England, offering true loch style fishing, set amidst beautiful scenery. Shore and boat fishing are both available, and if you have always fancied a bit of fly-fishing then lessons are available. Please visit www.hawksheadtrout.com
Mountain Biking
Around Hawkshead the Mountain biking is superb and there are routes to suit all abilities. Quiet country lanes can be linked at ease with the many off-road tracks and trails. Nearby Grizedale Forest offers some fantastic mountain biking for all the family and the North Face Route will test the skills of the best.
Boating
All the family can find boating of all kinds on nearby Windermere and Coniston Water. Whether it be a Cruise on one of the steamers on Lake Windermere or Coniston Water; hiring your own boat or sailing boat for a day out from Bowness Bay or enjoying the watersports available from Low Wood on Lake Windermere, the Lakes have it all covered and within an easy drive of the lodges.
Horse riding
Horse and Pony trekking is available in the local area at Ulverston, Millom and Ullswater.
Other Activities
A list of links to other web sites we hope you will find useful.
- www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle – Wray Castle
- www.brockhole.co.uk – Outdoor activity centre
- www.conistonboatingcentre.co.uk – Boat hire
- www.lakelandsegway.co.uk – Segway Tours. Use code ‘LODGES’ for 10% discount
- www.cliffhangerrooms.co.uk – Escape Rooms. Use code ‘LODGES’ for 10% discount
- www.lakesiderailway.co.uk – Lakeland Railway
- www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk – Lakeland Motor Museum
- www.traveline.info – Bus journey planner
- www.alpacalyeverafter.co.uk – Alpaca walks
- www.goape.co.uk – forest high-wire fun for all ages.
- www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedale – Grizedale Forest walks and information
- www.lakesaquarium.co.uk – Aquarium
- www.kankku.co.uk – 4×4 Off Road Driving
- www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk – Lake Windermere Cruises and Boats
- www.conistonlaunch.co.uk – Coniston Water Lake Cruises
- www.bownessescape.co.uk – Escape Room in Bowness. Use code ‘LODGES10’ for 10% off
We try to list sites that complement or augment the information on our site. The inclusion of an off-site link does not imply an endorsement of the website by Lakes Lodges Ltd, and we are not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness, or any opinions expressed on these linked sites. Please e-mail us if you would like to suggest or correct a link.