Windermere Ferry – Hawkshead Village loop from Hawkshead
Windermere Ferry – Hawkshead Village loop from Hawkshead
4.3
(3)
59
riders
Windermere Ferry – Hawkshead Village loop from Hawkshead
01:33
24.8km
260m
Cycling
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 19, 2026
This route includes a ferry crossing
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions. Check ahead to confirm restricted segments are open to the public.
After 6.41 km for 498 m
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
3.56 km
Hill Top Farm
Highlight • Historical Site
5.99 km
Joey's Café at Claife Viewing Station
Highlight • Cafe
Open 10:00 - 16:00 every day.
Well positioned for a stop halfway if you're running from Wray Castle or further up the western shore. Alternatively get the ferry to here and run a loop from here, ending or starting at the cafe.
Tip by
6.38 km
The Hatch Ice Cream Kiosk
Highlight • Cafe
Tip by
6.39 km
Windermere Ferry
Highlight • Structure
Tip by
6.91 km
Windermere Ferry Crossing
Highlight • Rest Area
For fares and times see: westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/windermere-ferry
Tip by
7.81 km
View of Lake Windermere
Highlight • Lake
18.2 km
Stone Bridge over the River Brathay
Highlight • Bridge
19.4 km
Pull Garth Wood
Forest
24.7 km
Hawkshead Village
Highlight • Settlement
Hawkshead is still the same tiny village of higgledy-piggledy houses, archways, and squares beloved by William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Cars are banned from the village, there being a large car park on the outskirts of the village. Tourism is now the main industry of Hawkshead, with many pleasant inns, guest houses, teashops and gift shops.
Whilst at school in Hawkshead, William lodged with Ann Tyson and her husband, who were in their sixties, first in the village, then at Colthouse where they moved in 1783. Anne Tyson’s cottage is now used as a holiday cottage.
The Old Grammar School was founded in 1585 by the Archbishop of York, Edwin Sandys. The ground floor classroom retains many old desks covered in carving done by the boys, including the poet William Wordsworth and his brother John. The school closed in 1909. Upstairs in the headmaster’s study and a classroom containing an exhibition relating to the history of the school, the founder and William Wordsworth.
The Beatrix Potter Gallery, a 17th Century building, was once the office of the local solicitor William Heelis, who married Beatrix Potterin 1913, and has remained largely unaltered since his day. The Gallery, now owned byThe National Trust, houses an annually changing exhibition of a selection of Beatrix Potter’s original drawings and illustrations. The National Trust also own many other buildings in the village, thus preserving its almost museum like air.
About half a mile out of Hawkshead is the hamlet of Colthouse. Here is one of the oldest Quaker meeting houses in Cumbria.
The 17th Century Church of St Michael & All Angels stands high looking out over the village, and has fine views to Esthwaite Water, Claife Heights, Latterbarrow, Helvellyn and the Langdales.
Tip by
24.8 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
12.0 km
7.79 km
3.76 km
1.10 km
129 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
23.2 km
1.03 km
465 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (110 m)
Lowest point (40 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Thursday 16 July
24°C
13°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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