Tarn Hows is one of the most picture-perfect places in the Lake District, a sheet of still water set among pines, larches and heather, with the Langdale Pikes and the Coniston fells rising behind. Despite its wild look, the tarn is largely a creation of the nineteenth century, when a landowner dammed a stream and joined three small tarns into one larger body of water, then planted the surrounding slopes with trees to frame the view. Beatrix Potter later bought the estate and it passed to the National Trust, which looks after it today, and her legacy of protecting the surrounding farms helped save much of the landscape around Hawkshead and Coniston. A circular path of roughly two miles runs around the water, and a good part of it is smooth and gently graded, so it works for pushchairs, many wheelchairs and anyone who wants a stroll rather than a hike. The walk takes about an hour at a gentle pace, with the best views on the west side of the tarn and a stretch of open ground and boardwalk on the south side. There is no entry charge, though the National Trust charges for the car park for non-members.
Why it matters
Tarn Hows shows how a designed landscape can become a natural treasure. Visitors come for the reflections, the autumn colour and the sheer ease of the walk, and it is one of the best places in the Lakes for people of limited mobility to enjoy a mountain view without a climb.
Photographers love the dawn and dusk light, and in winter a light frost or snow turns the scene into a Christmas card. Even on a grey day the dark conifers against pale water and bracken give the place a quiet, painterly mood.
Making a day of it
The tarn sits between Coniston and Hawkshead, so it fits neatly into a plan that includes Hill Top, the Beatrix Potter country around Near Sawrey and the village of Hawkshead, with its whitewashed lanes and Wordsworth's old school. A longer walk can start in Coniston, climb through woods and farmland to the tarn and return, adding a couple of hours of gentle hill walking. Another route links Tarn Hows with Hawkshead through fields and lanes, for those who prefer not to drive between the two.
Getting there
The road to the tarn is narrow and winding, and the car park is small, so it fills early on dry weekends and school holidays, and in winter the lane can be icy. If you are staying in Hawkshead or Coniston, walking up is a good alternative. Seasonal bus services have served the tarn from nearby villages, but the timetable varies, so check before you rely on one.
Practical tips
The circuit is easy but can be muddy after rain, so shoes with some grip are wise, and the exposed parts of the path are windy on cold days. Bring a flask, because refreshment facilities are limited and vary by season. Dogs are welcome on leads, especially in lambing and ground-nesting bird seasons. As a free sight, the link goes to the National Trust's page for the site, where you can check parking and access before you travel.
What to expect
The experience
A circular walk of roughly two miles around a landscaped tarn, on a mostly smooth, gently graded path with views of the Langdale Pikes and Coniston fells.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon for the light and the reflections, or a frosty winter day when the pines are white.
How long
About an hour for the circuit, up to two hours with stops and a picnic.
Tips
Arrive early for the small car park, wear shoes with grip for muddy patches and bring a flask because refreshments are limited.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, photographers and anyone who wants a gentle walk with a big view.
- Families
- The path suits buggies and little legs, and children enjoy the water, the trees and the squirrels.
- Couples
- Walk the circuit at golden hour, then have supper in Hawkshead.
- Pair with
- Hill Top, Hawkshead village and a cruise or walk around Coniston Water.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is Tarn Hows free?+
There is no entry charge, but the National Trust charges for parking for non-members and the car park is small.
How long does the walk take?+
The circuit is roughly two miles and takes about an hour at a gentle pace, longer if you stop for photographs.
Is the path suitable for buggies and wheelchairs?+
Much of it is smooth and gently graded and suits pushchairs and many wheelchairs, though some stretches can be muddy and uneven after rain.
Is Tarn Hows a natural lake?+
Not entirely. It was created in the nineteenth century by damming a stream and joining three small tarns, then planting the surroundings with trees.
Where is it?+
Between Coniston and Hawkshead, on a narrow road that can be busy at weekends and icy in winter.
