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You are here: Home > Things to Do > Hawkshead Grammar School Museum

Hawkshead Grammar School Museum

Exterior and Entrance at Hawkshead Grammar School Museum in the Lake District, Cumbria
  • Exterior and Entrance at Hawkshead Grammar School Museum in the Lake District, Cumbria
  • Exhibition Space at Hawkshead Grammar School Museum in the Lake District, Cumbria
  • Classroom at Hawkshead Grammar School Museum in the Lake District, Cumbria

Type:Museum

Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Main Street, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NT

Add Hawkshead Grammar School Museum to your Itinerary

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Tel015394 36674

About

Situated in the pretty Lake District village of Hawkshead, the Grammar School Museum tells the story of school life since its founding in 1585. Our most famous pupil was William Wordsworth and in its heyday this was considered one of the best schools in the north of England.

Wordsworth attended the school from age 9 to age 17. His love of the landscape was heavily influenced by his time in Hawkshead and his introduction to poetry started at the Grammar School with his inspirational Headmaster, William Taylor.

The school building dates from 1675 and the downstairs schoolroom has not changed much since Wordsworth’s day - you can sit at the desk where he carved his name and imagine how it would feel to spend your days learning Latin, Greek and Mathematics - by rote! Upstairs there are a number of permanent and rotating exhibitions highlighting aspects of the school story including the unique school library - and you may be lucky enough to visit when the library is open. Unfortunately, disabled access is only to the ground floor.

We have a fact-finder quiz for children and you can try your hand at quill-writing.
There’s also a Wordsworth Walking Trails map which comes free with admission.

-- NEW for 2023 --
This year we have a new and exciting range of exhibitions to share with visitors. It’s the year of 3 Williams!

Most of you are aware that William Wordsworth attended the school, and our permanent exhibition on his Hawkshead schooldays continues. You can also take a copy of our Wordsworth Walking Trails map highlighting the poet’s points of interest around Esthwaite Vale (provided free with entry).

However, have you heard of William Pearson, a Cumbrian farm boy who founded the Royal Astronomical Society and invented his own scientific instruments? He developed his passion for maths and geometry at HGS and worked here as an assistant master before embarking on his ‘stellar’ career.

Our third William is a local boy, William Carter Preston, who was one of the last to attend the school before it closed in 1909. He trained as an architect in Windermere before joining up in WW1. He quickly became commissioned as an officer and appeared to have a brilliant future ahead of him, but tragically he was killed in action in 1918.

The historic library will also be open on select days, and you may be lucky enough to meet volunteers working on our library cataloguing and repair project.

Group tours can be arranged by contacting hgsmuseum@gmail.com or 015394 36674. Group rates are £4 per person, £1 under-16, teachers and guides enter for free.

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Opening Times

Season (1 Apr 2023 - 31 Oct 2023)
DayTimes
Monday11:00 - 16:00
Tuesday - WednesdayClosed
Thursday - Sunday11:00 - 16:00

* Open Thursday-Sunday during term time.
Open Every Day on school holidays.

Guide Prices

Regular admission fee: £4.00 per adult, £1.00 per under-16

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access

Children

  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Facilities for educational visits
  • Guided tours for groups

Parking

  • Parking with charge

Property Facilities

  • Gift shop
  • Guided tours for individuals
  • Smoking not allowed

Site Features

  • Welcome Host

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Access Information

Attractions Self Assessment

Accessibility NotesWheelchair users can access the ground floor (schoolroom) of the museum, but the remaining two rooms are upstairs.

Entrance

Entrance is well lit

Public Areas

Good contrast between the floor and walls
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
From the entrance to reception / ticket area

Parking

Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
The route from the parking area to the entrance:
Has a ramp
The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
is solid

General

Audible alarm system
Displays at suitable height for wheelchair users / children
Effective lighting for visually impaired visitors
Seating available for visitors with limited mobility

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

Awards

  • Other AwardsSelf-assessed Accessibility Information Self-assessed Accessibility Information

Map & Directions

Map Link

Click here to view map

Road Directions

Approaching Hawkshead from the north on the B5285, follow the road around the edge of the village to the main carpark.

Public Transport Directions

The Museum is 50 metres from the carpark, with the entrance to the grounds across from the main bus-stop. The nearest railway station is Windermere, which is 9 miles away.

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