Tarn
Hows
Tarn Hows nestles among the fells between Hawkshead and Coniston, and is considered by many to be one of the more beautiful of the Lakes. It is accessed by road from Hawshead, and there is a National Trust Car Park at the soutwestern corner of the tarn- the road from here down toward Coniston is one-way, and with some very steep gradients
Tarn Hows is actually formed artificially by the stream which flows though it being dammed at its outlet in the 19th century uniting thee into one. Today it is in the care and ownership of the National Trust.
Approaching from Hawshead there is a breath-taking panorama as the Tarn comes into view. From the high point of the disabled car park there are magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and of the (rather more distant) peaks of the Langdale Pikes.
The tarn is surrounded by a footpath which encompasses its full extent, and is of easy access and walking, taking about 30 to 40 minutes.
The is a footpath from Hawkshead Leave Hawkshead along Flag Street on the western side of Red Lion Square, and about five minutes walk up the lane turn right through a field gate, and then proceed steadily uphill along a variety of terrain, some quite steep and rocky. After about a mile you cross Thomson's Ground (a 'ground' is Lakeland for a farm) and then you come out on the roadway leading into Hawshead Hill village. This tiny hamlet has at its centre a Baptist Chapel dating back to the 18th century. The chapel is kept open, and well-worth entering, whilst at the back is an old graveyard (still in use) and an old open-air Baptistery. Just past the chapel bear right, then left at the triangular junction, to re-access the path across a field, at the far side of which the path enters woodland and climbs quite steeply.
Tarn Hows nestles among the fells between Hawkshead and Coniston, and is considered by many to be one of the more beautiful of the Lakes. It is accessed by road from Hawshead, and there is a National Trust Car Park at the soutwestern corner of the tarn- the road from here down toward Coniston is one-way, and with some very steep gradients
Tarn Hows is actually formed artificially by the stream which flows though it being dammed at its outlet in the 19th century uniting thee into one. Today it is in the care and ownership of the National Trust.
Approaching from Hawshead there is a breath-taking panorama as the Tarn comes into view. From the high point of the disabled car park there are magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and of the (rather more distant) peaks of the Langdale Pikes.
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 Views (above and left) of Tarn Hows |
The tarn is surrounded by a footpath which encompasses its full extent, and is of easy access and walking, taking about 30 to 40 minutes.
The is a footpath from Hawkshead Leave Hawkshead along Flag Street on the western side of Red Lion Square, and about five minutes walk up the lane turn right through a field gate, and then proceed steadily uphill along a variety of terrain, some quite steep and rocky. After about a mile you cross Thomson's Ground (a 'ground' is Lakeland for a farm) and then you come out on the roadway leading into Hawshead Hill village. This tiny hamlet has at its centre a Baptist Chapel dating back to the 18th century. The chapel is kept open, and well-worth entering, whilst at the back is an old graveyard (still in use) and an old open-air Baptistery. Just past the chapel bear right, then left at the triangular junction, to re-access the path across a field, at the far side of which the path enters woodland and climbs quite steeply.
 Fell view from Thomsons Ground |
 Footpath to Tarn Hows |
