Esthwaite Water Circular Walk
Cumbria
Esthwaite Water is the small, peaceful tarn between Hawkshead and Near Sawrey, the lake that Beatrix Potter gazed across from her desk at Hill Top. This loop follows quiet lanes, farm tracks and permissive paths around the wooded shore, with glimpses of the Langdale Pikes to the north and the tranquil Potter country to the south. It is a dog friendly walk, flat and straightforward, with a pretty village at either end and the Tower Bank Arms for a lunch stop.
Park on the roadside at Hawkshead's main car park or on the quiet lanes near Near Sawrey. The route crosses working sheep and dairy farms with livestock right by the path, and passes through sections where ground-nesting birds breed in the reeds, so dogs must be on a short lead throughout. The terrain is quiet tarmac lane, gravel farm track and firm grass path, flat underfoot the whole way. Hawkshead village has dog friendly pubs (the Sun Inn, Queen's Head), cafes and public toilets, and Near Sawrey has the Tower Bank Arms and Hill Top (NT) at the far end.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Lake, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Dog friendly pubs and cafes in Hawkshead; Tower Bank Arms and Hill Top at Near Sawrey.
- Parking
- Hawkshead main pay and display car park or roadside at Near Sawrey; both fill on busy days.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk1.7 mi awayGrizedale Forest Red Squirrel Trail
Cumbria
A playful forest trail with sculptures and red squirrels, a brilliantly dog friendly outing for families and easy dogs.
Walk1.8 mi awayClaife Heights and Windermere Western Shore
Cumbria
Lakeshore woodland, a Georgian viewing station and rolling heath above Windermere, a three-pawprint dog friendly National Trust favourite.
Walk2.8 mi awayTarn Hows
Cumbria
Gentle, accessible circuit with good water access and relaxed off-lead potential; leads needed near the car park and in busier sections.
Walk4.3 mi awayConiston Old Man via Goat's Water
Cumbria
A dramatic fell circuit past a hidden tarn to a Coniston classic, a dog friendly mountain day for fit hill dogs.
Walk4.9 mi awayLoughrigg Fell (Ambleside)
Cumbria
Open fell, a tarn for swimming and good off-lead potential across the upper sections make this a strong choice; loses a point for boggy ground and enclosed farmland on the lower approaches.
Walk5.4 mi awayThe Old Man of Coniston
Cumbria
A classic fell day with good off-lead potential on the upper mountain and a rewarding tarn stop on the descent; quarry terrain and sheep on lower approaches keep the score from going higher.
