Getting to Hawkshead

From the North:

A picturesque journey through the heart of the Lake District. Approx. 33miles from the M6 – allow 1 hour.

Leave the M6 at junction 40 (M6/A66 – Penrith) and take the A66 towards Keswick. After approx. 12 miles turn left onto the B5322 signed - Thirlmere
At junction with A591 turn left again. Follow A591 through Grasmere and into Ambleside. Once in Ambleside you will enter a one-way system, follow this through the centre, stay in the right hand lane. Watch for a BP garage on your left; turn right opposite the garage, signed – Coniston. Take the left hand lane, and at the ‘T’ junction at the bottom of the hill turn left. (Two way traffic again) After 150 yds turn right signed – Coniston. Stay in the left hand lane and after 100 yds turn left over a narrow bride onto A593 signed - Coniston (care with oncoming traffic)

(Direction as at **below.)

From the South:

A choice of routes from the M6 (South) all between 20 and 24 miles - allow 40mins – 1hr. The approx. travel time during the peak season will depend upon traffic, especially around Windermere/Ambleside, or the length of the queue for the car-ferry.

Scenic Route: - Leave the M6 at junction 36 (M6/A65-A590) and take the A590 towards Kendal (By-pass) at the first junction exit and continue on the A590 signed Barrow – Lake District Peninsulas. Follow for about 11miles until you reach the roundabout at the junction with the A592 (Windermere). Continue on the A590 past the roundabout for about 100 yds, until you reach a left hand bend, where there is a right turn over a long narrow bridge. (Care with oncoming traffic) Turn right and follow the road round to the left in front of the Swan Hotel. Stay on this road for about 8 miles until you enter Hawkshead.
Leave the M6 at junction 36 (M6/A65-A590) and take the A590 towards Kendal (By-pass) Follow the bypass (which soon becomes the A591) until the roundabout at the junction with B5284 signed - ferry. (A choice of route from here)

Via the Ferry:

Turn left onto the B5284 through Crook towards Windermere. At the ‘T’ junction - A5074, turn left and immediately right, down the hill to the next junction - A592. Here turn right and then immediately left onto the ferry road. (The ferry runs most days, weather permitting, and is a continuous service taking 20 mins for a round trip.) After the ferry follow the road - B5285 for approx. four miles, through Far & Near Sawrey. After crossing small bridge turn right (Signed- Ambleside/Coniston.) to reach Hawkshead.

Via Ambleside:

Continue on the A591 through Windermere and onto Ambleside. At the first set of traffic lights turn left and follow the road A5075 along the lakeshore. Take the first turning left onto A 593 signed - Coniston, and then left over a narrow bridge (Care with oncoming traffic)

**After 1 mile turn left at Clappersgate onto B 5286 and follow for about 4 miles until you enter Hawkshead.

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By Coach or Bus

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Cumbria County Council Downloadable Bus Timetables

By Train

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By Plane

Blackpool Airport
Budget airline flights from Belfast – Dublin – Isle of Man. Distance: 70 miles. Time: 1.35 hrs.

Manchester Airport International Airlines as well as one of the best airports for domestic UK flights. Distance: 97 miles. Time: 2.05 hrs.

Birmingham International Airport Distance: 175 miles. Time: 3.15 hrs.

Leeds & Bradford Distance: 81 miles. Time: 2 hrs.