Back Roads Great Britain (Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

203

w Hill Top

Near Sawrey, Ambleside; LA22 0LF

Home to children’s author Beatrix

Potter from 1905, Hill Top (015394

36369; http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk; closed

Fri) was bought with the proceeds

from The Tale of Peter Rabbit, her first

book. This 17th-century farmhouse

and cottage garden with flowers,

vegetables and herbs, have been kept

as they were at

the author’s wish.

Fans of her work

will recognize

elements from her stories such

as the long-case clock from

The Tailor of Gloucester and the dresser

from The Tale of Samuel Whiskers. In

the village, note the flower-filled

gardens of Buckle Yeat Guesthouse,

inspiration for Potter’s Tale of Tom Kitten.

ª Continue on B5285 to Far Sawrey

and Lake Windermere and take the

15-minute ferry journey to the eastern

shore (open daily; queues in high

season). Travel down the A592 along

lake shore to Fell Foot Park.

Above left Colourful Buckle Yeat Guesthouse,

Near Sawrey Above centre Tower Bank Arms,

Near Sawrey, just behind Beatrix Potter’s

home Above right Eccentric teapot topiary in

Hawkshead, Cumbria

DRIVE 19: The Poetry of the Lakes

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50

tackle, tuition and boat hire are
available from the Esthwaite Water
Trout Fishery (015394 36541; http://www.
hawksheadtrout.co.uk) on the
southwest shore. Walkers should head
for Tarn Hows, 5 km (3 miles) to the
northwest, a beautiful body of water,
with splendid views. Set in woods, it is
skirted by a good 2.5-km (1½-mile)
path, suitable for wheelchairs. Visit
http://www.hawkshead-
village.co.uk/walks/
tarn_hows.html or
buy a map from
the tourist office.
There are five walking
routes from Grizedale Forest Park
Visitor Centre (01229 860 010; http://www.
forestry.gov.uk/grizedalehome) where a
guide map can be bought. To find it,
travel south on Main Street, then
take the first right at the sign for
“Theatre in the Forest”. Or hire some
mountain bikes and enjoy some safe
off-roading.
ª From Main St, turn left on B5285 to
Near Sawrey (small car park available).

Below Hawkshead Grammar School, founded by the Archbishop of York in 1585

Hawkshead

street sign

EAT AND DRINK

AMBLESIDE

The Giggling Goose inexpensive

This riverside terrace and upstairs tea

room serves good coffee, home-made

soups, sandwiches and cakes. Enjoy

the alfresco seating by the mill race.

The Old Mill, LA22 9DT; 01539 433 370;

http://www.gigglinggoose.co.uk

Glass House moderate

Feast on sandwiches, tortilla wraps, and

burgers on foccacia for lunch. The

evening menu is posher and pricier.

Rydal Road, LA22 9AN; 01539 432137;

http://www.theglasshouserestaurant.co.uk

AROUND HAWKSHEAD

Drunken Duck moderate

On the route to Hawkshead – turn right

off B5286 opposite Outgate Inn – this

acclaimed gastropub and inn serves

quality sandwiches and inventive food.

Barngates, LA22 0NG; 015394 36347;

http://www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk

SHOPPING IN AMBLESIDE

Contemporary glass lighting is made

using traditional methods at the Glass

Blowing Workshop (Rydal Rd, LA22

9AN; 01539 433 039), while Jane Exley

produces unique hand-tufted rugs

from Herdwick wool in her riverside

studio, the Woolly Rug Co (Old

Mill Bridge, North Road, LA22 9DT;

http://www.woollyrug.com; 01539 433 003).

SHOPPING IN HAWKSHEAD

The Hawkshead Relish Company

produces home-made preserves, on

sale at at Buttercups and Hawkshead

Fine Teas (The Square, LA22 0NZ ), and

outlets in the area. For Beatrix Potter

memorabilia and figurines, try the

“official stockist”, Haddows Gifts (The

Car Park, LA22 0NT ).