Local Area

 

 

Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) , the village of Near Sawrey is very picturesque and Lakefield is situated in a peaceful location on the northern fringe of the village. At night, standing outside Lakefield, you can hear sound of the geese on the lake and the sheep in the fields. The village is a conservation area.

Esthwaite Water is a quiet and unspoilt lake free from commercialsation - a haven of peace an tranquility. It is one of the most studied lakes in the country and has been designated by Natural England as a Site of Special Scientific Interest on account of its breeding birds and plant life.

Near Sawrey's main attraction is undoubtedly Beatrix Potter's home, Hill Top Farm. Hill Top is owned by The National Trust and is open to the public (check times). Admission is on a timed basis. 
The attractive village pub, the Tower Bank Arms (3 mins walk), is also owned by The National Trust and serves very good food. The Tower Bank Arms features in Beatrix Potter's books, as does Buckle Yeat Guest House, on your right before the pub. Also try Ees Wyke (book day the before) for outstanding cuisine and the Sawrey House Hotel is recommended too. There is another pub in the next village (2-3 mins drive), Far Sawrey, called the Cuckoo Brow Inn, which also serves good food.

Tesco and Sainburys can deliver food/groceries to Near Sawrey, if required. Booth's supermarket in Windermere can be used for a large "shop" - see also Hawkshead below. Hutchinsons in Coniston are the nearest full service butcher.

Hawkshead is an attractive village five minutes by car from Near Sawrey.

It is very picturesque and is characterised by clusters of whitewashed houses, alleyways and small courtyards and squares.

It has strong connections with both Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. The Beatrix Potter Gallery (National Trust) is well worth a visit, as is the Old School House, where William Wordsworth attended school.

There are many good pubs and restaurants (The Queens Head and Poppi Red).

Hawkshead also has a small but well stocked Co-op, a chemist , as well as numerous shops. The Hawkshead Relish Shop in the main square sells delicious jams and relishes. The Honeypot Deli and shop sells sanswiches pluse cheeses and all sorts of groceries. The Old Cobblers sells tasty sandwiches and soup at lunchtime. There is also the Sun Cottage Fish and Chip shop.

 

 Pleasure boats can be hired on Coniston Water (about 15 minutes' drive from Lakefield).

John Ruskin's house Brantwood is well worth a visit. It occupies a beautiful position overlooking Coniston Water.

 

Walks: there are many walks from the Lakefield's front door but a favourite walk is the one to Moss Eccles Tarn. Turn right out of Lakefield, walk thirty yards up the hill to the phone box on the left and follow the path up the lane between the phone box and the children's playground. The lane climbs gradually giving super views of Esthwaite. Moss Eccles Tarn is about 20-25 minutes walk up the lane and then on the right across the fields at the top of the lane. Beatrix Potter owned a rowing boat on the tarn and, on a summer's evening, used to row the boat while her husband fished. Fishing permits can be obtained from the Tower Bank Arms. You can follow the footpath round the tarn and on up to Wise Een Tarn further on - super views over the Langdale valley to the north west. If you go a bit further on you come to Latterbarrow which has extensive views over Ambleside, Fairfield Horseshoe, the Langdales, Wetherlam and Coniston Old Man.

Alternatively, you can walk down the small lane to Esthwaite Water. On the way, you pass a small cross-roads featured in the frontispiece to Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Pigling Bland" (see if you can spot it). You cross over the bridge over the outflow from Esthwaite, turnthrough a gate immediatley on your right onto a path by the lake which eventually leads to  a small rustic car park which gives good views over the lake. The lanes are generally quiet but narrow, there are plenty of other walks, so why not invent a few of your own?

"Fantastic house, well-equipped home from home. We all had a wonderful week here. What a wonderful place to come back to after a long walk. We hope to return."

There are a variety of activities close by including:

  • Grizedale Forest numerous walks and cycle trails and Go Ape
  • Windermere & Coniston – sailing and boat trips
  • Fishing on Esthwaite Water (you can hire boats even if you don't want to fish)
  • Hill Top – the home of Beatrix Potter (a few minutes walk)
  • Bobbin Mill (near Newby Bridge)
  • The Aquarium and Steam Railway at Lakeside
  • Brockhole National Park Centre
  • For golfers, try the beautiful Ulverston Golf Club Course
  • Brantwood Arts & Crafts House overlooking the west shore of Windermere
  • The Ruskin Museum in Coniston with Donals Cambell's restored Bluebird K7
  • The Windermere Jetty Museum with cafe overlooking the lake
  • Brantwood- John Ruskin's home on Coniston's east shore (try the Terrace cafe with wonderful views)

 

 

 
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LAKEFIELD HOUSE AND LAKEFIELD COTTAGE
C/O 20 Conduit Head Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB30EY
Telephone: 01223 362727 Mobile: 07713072361 or 07850808535
Email: stay@lakefieldlakedistrict.co.uk
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