A pretty village nestled within the Lake District offers visitors an authentic journey into the past.

Hawkshead, located at the centre of the National Park, exists in 2026, but delivers an enchanting glimpse of bygone eras. Featuring cobbled lanes, whitewashed cottages, and a car-free heart, the sweet settlement remains remarkably preserved from modern influences.

Beatrix Potter stands as the village’s most famous inhabitant and one of its staunchest advocates. The author of the Tale of Peter Rabbit acquired extensive tracts of land around Hawkshead following her romance with solicitor William Heelis, whom she met locally before marrying.

Potter’s passionate commitment to countryside conservation, as a respected figure within the farming community, saw her work alongside the National Trust to keep the idyllic scenery unspoilt. She wasn’t the only literary figure to find inspiration in Hawkshead. William Wordsworth honed his romantic leanings in the village.

“His experiences in and around Hawkshead, where William and Richard Wordsworth began attending school in 1779, would also provide the poet with a store of images and sensory experience that he would continue to draw on throughout his poetic career,” writes the Poetry Foundation.

Little wonder Potter and the poet laureate found such artistic inspiration in Hawkshead, which maintains a small population of 500 inhabitants. Hawkshead’s vehicle-free village centre, with its twisting lanes and alleyways, stays largely shielded from motorised traffic.

Set within such stunning natural surroundings, Hawkshead also provides a perfect base for outdoor adventurers.

With an abundance of walking paths, cycling tracks, and aquatic pursuits on nearby waters such as Windermere and Coniston, there’s plenty for all abilities, from experienced fell walkers to those seeking a gentle ramble. The surrounding fells provide both easy-going routes and more demanding ascents.

Amongst the favoured walks are the sculpture trail winding through neighbouring Grizedale Forest and the path to Tarn Hows, one of the most beloved and scenic locations in the whole Lake District.

Following an energetic outing, you can refresh yourself and refuel at one of the village’s four charming country inns, including The Queen’s Head. This canine-friendly establishment has been hosting visitors since the 17th century with its crackling fires, cask ales, prize-winning cuisine, and overnight lodgings.

On a bright day, what could be more pleasant than enjoying an ice cream whilst wandering through the village’s delightful streets or stopping for a brew and homemade cake at a traditional tearoom?

You can even bring a taste of Hawkshead home with you, in the shape of preserves and chutneys from Hawkshead Relish, or some Grasmere Gingerbread. The celebrated bakery maintains its sole outlet beyond Grasmere within the village.

The unhurried rhythm, stunning vistas, and rows of preserved, listed properties in Hawkshead have established it as a beloved destination amongst tourists.

Local resident Ruth, writing for Lakeland Hideaways, describes the charm of her town: “The higgledy-piggledy cobbled streets lead you to village shops, bakeries, cafes and boutiques. Cars are blocked from the village centre which makes this a particularly nice place to wander about and soak up the Cumbrian culture. Our village has been described as the ‘prettiest village in the Lake District’.”

Long-time visitor Clive Wheat shares his fond memories: “When I think of the Lakes I think of Hawkshead. I have been visiting this village for over forty-five years and even stayed here on our honeymoon. It’s always a pleasure to revisit this wonderful Lake District village.”

In its guide to the settlement, Choose Where paints a nostalgic picture: “Hawkshead feels like a step back into a quieter, more romantic version of England.”

They continue, “Hawkshead is worth visiting for its unspoilt character, literary heritage, and position as a gateway to some of the Lake District’s loveliest countryside. Unlike some Lake District towns that have been heavily modernised, Hawkshead retains its medieval street plan and historic charm, with car-free lanes winding past ancient buildings.”

Situated between Coniston and Windermere, the village centre prohibits vehicles, though a substantial pay-and-display car park exists on the periphery. Public transport alternatives, including the 505 Stagecoach bus route, link Hawkshead with neighbouring towns such as Ambleside, Coniston, and Windermere.