Grizedale forest park
Welcome to Grizedale Forest Park in the heart of the world famous Lake District National Park
From the all access Ridding Wood trail to the demanding Silurian Way, from the Cafe to the Sculpture trails, Grizedale Forest Park offers an unrivalled day out for everyone.
Check out "Go Ape" the unique high ropes course provides a challenging aerial adventure.
Start your day with a visit to Grizedale Visitor Centre and let our friendly staff help you choose your activities for the day ahead. cycling, walking, Go Ape, sculpture guides and waymarked trails are all available or create your own adventure.
March Hours
- Visitor Centre 10am - 4.30pm daily until 14 March
- 10am - 5.00pm daily 15 March - 13 July
- 10am - 5.30pm daily 14 July - 7 September
- 10am - 5.00pm daily 8 September - 2 November
- 10am - 4.30pm daily 3 November - 30 November
- 10am - 4.00pm daily 1 December - 23 December
- Bike Shop 10am - 5pm daily,
- Bike Hire 9.30am - 2pm (last hire) daily
- Cafe - See following
The Cafe has relocated to a temporary site in the bottom corner of the Walled Garden just along the path from the Visitor Centre/Shop. A take away service only is available daily from 10.30am until 4.00pm. This arrangement will continue whilst the new Cafe is being constructed as part of the Grizedale Redevelopment Project.
Sunday May 18 - Temporary road closure - The Windermere Marathon will be run on Sunday 18 May. The organisers have advised that the road from Hawkshead to Esthwaite will be closed from approx. 10.00AM until 11.30AM. Therefore there will be no road access in both directions between Hawkshead and Grizedale during those times.
Check out our full range of organised events.
Local Attractions Go APE
Climb the trees and slide across high wires, crawl through tunnels, cross rope bridges, walk the planks and zip down to the ground!Go Ape is an award-winning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides... all set high up in the tree tops of grizedale forest.
Providing a fun day out with friends, families or colleagues, you'll be fitted with a climbing harness and given instruction before trekking from tree to tree high above the forest floor. (fantastic) Split into a number of different sections, the experience takes approximately 2.5-3 hours to complete but may vary depending on how many people are up in the trees.
Beatrix Potter Gallery
17th-century solicitor's office, now home to the original watercolours and sketches of Beatrix Potter
- Original story book illustrations by Beatrix Potter
- Fascinating exhibition on the life of a beloved children's author
- Atmospheric 17th-century Lakeland town house
- Popular children's quizzes and goodie bags
- Display on the major film Miss Potter
What's new this year
Exhibition featuring original watercolours used to illustrate The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck and The Tale of Samuel Whiskers (both celebrating their 100th birthdays)
Welcome to the Aquarium of the Lakes
Welcome to the Aquarium of the Lakes – a unique freshwater aquarium situated on the southern shore of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, the Lake District.
Recreating the journey of a river from mountain top to sea, the Aquarium’s stunning displays bring you face to face with an array of life found in and around the Lakes. See Lakeland’s menacing pike, char, otters and giant carp. Discover our underwater tunnel complete with diving ducks and don’t miss the Morecambe Bay displays with sharks and rays from around the Cumbrian coast.
With plasma screen documentaries, film presentations, information boards, a children’s quiz trail as well as daily talks and presentations, the Aquarium of the Lakes is a unique all weather attraction. There is even the opportunity to arrive by lake cruise or steam train!
The Aquarium of the Lakes is a quality assured attraction, successfully credited with VisitBritain’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service.
Hill Top
- Farmhouse where Beatrix Potter wrote lots of her children's stories
- Many of her beloved 'treasures' are on display
- Hill Top was model for 'Samuel Whiskers' illustrations and others
- Shop specialising in Beatrix Potter gifts
- Hill Top was recreated for the major film Miss Potter
What's new this year
Come and visit the house which was recreated for the film Miss Potter. Hill Top characters Jemima Puddle-Duck and Samuel Whiskers celebrate their 100th birthdays this year
Tarn Hows Near Hawkshead, Lake District, Cumbria - England, UK |  Map |
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Tarn Hows is partly artificial, being three tarns joined together in the 19th Century. Nevertheless, it is an extremely popular spot and offers leisurely walking for any ability. The relatively flat path around the tarn is one and a half miles long, and suitable for wheelchairs. Owned by the National Trust, a nearby car park makes the area easily accessible. This location is very picturesque at all times of the year, and offers quite a variety of flora and fauna. You’re even near to Hawkshead for a cup of coffee (or something stronger) after your excursion! |  |
The Hawkshead Grammar
The Hawkshead Grammar School is one of the oldest in
the area and this integral museum is a fascinating
visitor attraction for all those interested in learning
more about the institution and the development of the
locality. The museum contains a great deal of artefacts
that include the original seal that Elizabeth I granted to
the school and other priceless antiques.
The Old Grammar School in Hawkshead 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. Upstairs in the headmaster's study and a classroom containing an exhibition relating to the history of the school, the founder and William Wordsworth.
