St. Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead

About

A church has stood on this site for over 800 years with the present church being built around 1490 (parts of the tower are older) and little changed since the late 16th century.

Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District church. It has literary connections with Wordsworth and was also the home the home of Archbishop Sandys in the 16th century.

Local masons built this church by eye rather than from a plan.The interior, little altered over the centuries, is dressed with lime plaster and decorated with 17th and 18th century painted scripture texts, there is also a decorative dogtooth border around the pillars and arches.

William Wordsworth attended Hawkshead Grammar School between 1779-87. There are numerous references to the church in his work, particularly in The Prelude.

 

Key Features

 

Spectacular stained glass

Magnificent memorials

Glorious furnishings

Fascinating churchyard

National heritage here

Famous connections

 

Visitor Information

Bus stop within 100m

Level access to the main areas

On street parking at church

Parking within 250m

Accessible toilets nearby

Café within 500m

Dog friendly

Walkers & cyclists welcome

Space to secure your bike