Hawkshead Area

Near Sawrey is at the heart of the Lake District and is a perfect base for Windermere, Ambleside, the Langdales and Coniston. Hawkshead is only a couple of miles away and offers cafes, pubs and restaurants serving snacks and bar meals.

However, in Near Sawrey there is a very good inn, (pic left)  The Tower Bank Arms, famous from its inclusion in, The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck.

Sawrey House serves great food although at busy periods it would be worth while reserving a table. The Sawrey Hotel in the next village is open to non - residents, booking is essential.

Beatrix Potter holidayed at Ees Wyke Country house and this led to her love of the lakes and Sawrey. Once she had earned her fame and fortune it was to Sawrey that she came to live and work.

Sawrey is now most famous for Hilltop – Beatrix Potter’s Lakeland home and setting for many of her books including Peter Rabbit. Hilltop is approx 100 yards from Ees Wyke and has now been fully restored and is open to the public. Despite its popularity the visitors are mainly day trippers and they do not affect the villages quaintness.

Sawrey is entirely a conservation area helping to preserve its unique Lakeland charm. This is largely due to Potter buying many properties, farms and land in the area and then leaving this to the nation through the national trust. The village pub – the Tower Bank Arms - is the only National trust owned pub in Britain. It is a little Cumbrian treasure. The landlord retains its traditional feel and warm welcome – with roaring log fires to keep everyone warm on those cold winter nights. He ensures that all the local micro breweries have an outlet for their superb beers. He also provides excellent traditional Cumbrian pub food.

2 miles away in Far Sawrey the ferry across Lake Windermere takes you to the bright lights of Bowness and Windermere town beyond. From here cruise boats leave. The towns have a wide choice of shops, restaurants and pubs. Also located here are:
World of Beatrix Potter Museum
Windermere Steam Launches Museum
Fell Foot Park
Brockhole Visitor Centre

The popular Lakeland village of Hawkshead is only a mile and half away. Here you will find the cobbled whitewashed narrow streets full of pretty shops and restaurants. Hawkshead also boasts the following attractions:
Grizedale forest with its walking/cycling trails and Go Ape adventures
Beatrix Potter Gallery
• Hawkshead Grammar School (Wordsworth’s school)

5 miles West is Coniston – another Lakeland tourist centre. Coniston attractions include:
Coniston Launches and Gondola
Brantwood House (home of John Ruskin)
Tarn Hows

5 miles north is Ambleside, Grasmere and Langdale. Ambleside was recently voted Britain Best place to live and it is easy to why with its beautiful location and array of shops, restaurants, pubs and cinemas. Grasmere is the beautiful village so long home to William Wordsworth and where he is now buried.   Attractions include:
Armitt Museum
Ambleside Bridge House
• Millans Park
• Waterhead Pier – terminal of Windermere launches
Dove Cottage – home of Wordsworth

Latest News and Local Events

We have decided that we ought to set up a section on the website keeping everyone up to date with the latest goings on and forthcoming local events in Sawrey and the surrounding area. We hope that even if your holiday is not for a while it will help you plan you time with us.

We will also providing details of some of our own favourite walks, attractions and pastimes. We would be delighted if guests could help us by e-mailing us details of any activities they have really enjoyed so we can share these experiences with our guests.