Monday 9 April 2012

Hawkshead - my Home from Home

 I shall have to exercise severe restraint with this post, since this village is my favourite of all the Lake District villages. It’s also the one I know best so I could write reams about it. My parents bought a caravan on a farm on the outskirts of the village in the 1960’s, and I used to go up there regularly for over 30 years.

Thought you might like to see this photo of my new caravan going on site in the 80’s. As you can imagine, I was holding my breath and hoping it wouldn’t go too far and crash over the 10 foot drop into the rocky stream under the trees!

In the 60's, one could still drive into the centre of the village, and usually find a parking spot in the main square. The shops were traditional local shops, post office, newsagent. grocery, even a Co-op store. Over the years, that all changed in response to the needs (demands?) of tourists. The narrow streets couldn’t cope with the increasing traffic, so a bypass was built, and also a large car park on the edge of the village. More and more shops opened, again to cater to the tourists – souvenir shops and clothing stores. By the 90’s the village had become a tourist mecca, with buses dropping them off in droves and cars fighting for a place in the car park.
The centre of the village has, however, remained unchanged (apart from the crowds!). It’s very picturesque (hence its popularity) with whitewashed houses, small courtyards and squares, archways and alleyways, and cobbled streets.
The church, on its hill overlooking the village, was first built in about 1300 and later enlarged. William Wordsworth described it as  “the snow-white lady” as its walls used to be whitewashed. Inside, it still has the wall paintings of Bible texts, dating from the 17th century.
Just below the church is the old Grammar School founded in the 16th century by the son of a local family, Edwin Sandys, who became Archbishop of York. Wordsworth attended this school which is now a museum and his name can be seen carved into one of the desks.
The cottage where he lodged while at school is still there, as is the aptly named ‘Pillar House’ with its outside staircase. Fancy having to go outside and up the stairs to go to bed when it was freezing cold or pouring with rain!
One narrow street, now known as Wordsworth Street, was once called Leather, Rag and Putty Street, indicating the occupations of the tradespeople who once lived there.
The village was granted a market charter in 1608 and the 17th century Market Hall still dominates one side of the market square. The arched windows on the ground floor used to be open arches, known as Shambles, where butchers would come to sell meat products on market day.

I’ve seen Hawkshead in all seasons and all weathers, and although I don’t get up there very often these days, it still holds a special place in my heart, as well as many happy memories. It's one of the reasons I set my romance novel 'Fragrance of Violets' in a small Lakeland village which, although 'imaginary', DOES resemble Hawkshead in some aspects!

23 comments:

  1. Those village pics are just charming!

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  2. Great photos. I love Wordsworth street. Lovely.

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  3. Dear lord, it's beautiful. Now I really want to set a story there. Guess I need to go there for "research" haha. Great post and happy A-Z blogging!

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  4. Thank you all!

    S.L. - even after visiting this village many, many times over 30+ years, I STILL had to research some things for 'Fragrance of Violets'!

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  5. This is soo beautiful.. I love the church.. Great post.. Thank you for showing us this window into your world.. It's stunning.. :)

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  6. What a great village. Would love to go there when we visit Ireland and England in August. Wordsworth Street is beautiful. I love the church and the school. The church's wall paintings must be extraordinary. *waving*

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  7. The villages, homes, streets, and places you take us each day are so full of historic value that the charm comes second for me. When I consider how many feet must have crossed the doorway of a building that was built in the 1600's it gives me reason to pause. I truly enjoy our journeys each day!

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  8. Wish I could stroll down Woodsworth Street today! Lovely pictures and commentary.

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  9. Thanks for all your comments!
    Mimi - the church is lovely inside too.
    Robyn -there are so many places worth seeing in both England and Ireland, but if you can get to the Lake District, you won't be disappointed.
    November - we are surrounded by so much history here that we often take it for granted.
    thanks, Claudia and beachlover. -

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  10. What and absolutely charming and lovely place! I NEED need a trip there! And since I write Regencies, I could write a trip to England off as a business expense. Maybe a future book will take place here. Sooo gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Thinking a caravan in the UK would translate as a trailer in the US. I like your name for it better.

    The church is stunning - it's striking as is, grey, but white it would be spectacular. Thanks for the virtual tour.

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  12. Oh my goodness, just when I think I have a favorite you show me a new one! I want a little cottage on Woodworth...the one with the steps will do! ♥

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  13. Donna, if you manage a trip to England, I'll take you on a guided tour of the Lake District. The Lake Poets were the famous inhabitants of the area in Regency times.

    Beverley - you're right, caravan = trailer.

    Jo - And we're not even halfway through the alphabet yet! Lots more to come! I'd love one of those cottages too!

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  14. Beautiful photos. I was wondering where that camper/caravan was going to settle. Doesn't look too level!
    Thanks for the visit to mainelywrite.blogspot.com!

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  15. Donna, they had to make the slope less steep to get it down on to the site then they balanced the van half over the 10 foot drop to the small brook (my heart was in my mouth!) while they dug the slope away so as to create enough flat area for it to stand on! It was terrifying to watch but the guy in charge kept grinning and saying 'Don't look so worried!'

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  16. This is such a beautiful place. I love all your pictures.


    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/

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  17. Another charming place you've shared with us!! Amazing Paula-- keep them coming :)

    Cheers, Jenn
    http://www.wine-n-chat.com

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  18. Hi Paula,
    What lovely pictures. Now I want to go back and see all the posts prior to this one. I hope I can do that and also follow those to come. This certainly brought back our memorable holiday in the Lake District. I think I love Windemere (did I spell it correctly?) best of all, just because the name is so beautiful. And I still have a vivid image of the lake and those white swans and the many boats on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks for the armchair trip back. Linda

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  19. You've managed to spark a bit of wanderlust, though I would have sworn that I had none.

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  20. Many thanks, Kathy and Jenn.

    Linda - Windermere will be my topic for the letter W. Glad I', bringing back happy memories for you!

    Beth - I'm happy to speak the wanderlust in you!

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  21. I feel more travelled every time I come here. Thanks!

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  22. Another great post, Paula. What a pity they changed the street name.

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