Esthwaite Water

Esthwaite Water is a small, quiet lake just south of the village of Hawkshead in Cumbria, inside the Lake District National Park. It sits between its two giants, Windermere and Coniston Water, with Grizedale Forest rising to the west. Far fewer visitors find it than its famous neighbours, which is exactly its appeal.

Where is Esthwaite Water and how do you get there?

The lake lies in the Furness area, and Hawkshead makes the easiest base: the shore is a short drive or walk away. Roads reach the village from both Ambleside and Coniston. The water is privately owned, so much of the shoreline is closed to the public. Stick to signed footpaths and public roads.

What is there to see?

Esthwaite Water is regarded as the most productive of the Lake District's larger lakes. Its mix of open water, fen and grassland is protected as a nature reserve and an SSSI, and the site has been a Ramsar wetland since 1991. Rare plants grow here, including slender naiad (Najas flexilis) and elongated sedge (Carex elongata).

At the head of the lake lies Priest Pot, a small pond that is a reserve in its own right. One source says it was cut off from the lake some 400 years ago. Its name may point to a former fishery used by the monks of nearby Hawkshead Hall.

Ospreys are the main draw for wildlife fans. Boat trips run from the trout fishery, and hunting birds are an almost daily sight during the season, which runs from early April to early September.

What is the literary connection?

Wordsworth lodged in Hawkshead while attending the village grammar school, and the lake shaped his boyhood. Beatrix Potter lived nearby at Hill Top, and one source says her pictures for Mr Jeremy Fisher drew on her studies of frogs and other wildlife around Esthwaite Water.

What can you do here?

• Short walk. An easy route of about 1.9 miles starts at St Michael and All Angels Church in Hawkshead, heads south to Roger Ground, then east to the shore.
• Fishing. The lake is known for trout and pike, with perch and roach also present. Permits come from the trout fishery at the southern end, so check current rules there.
• Longer hike. A trail from Hawkshead to Windermere passes the lake and Moss Eccles Tarn, a small tarn owned by the National Trust.

When should you go?

For ospreys, aim for spring through early autumn. Walking is pleasant all year, but rain is common in the Lake District, so pack a waterproof.

Frequently asked questions

Does the National Trust own Esthwaite Water? No, the lake is privately owned. The National Trust looks after nearby Moss Eccles Tarn.

Can you walk all the way round the lake? Not entirely, since parts of the shore are private. Shorter routes start from Hawkshead.

Can you fish here? Yes. Permits are issued by the trout fishery at the southern end.

Is it a large lake? No, it is one of the region's smaller lakes, about 134 hectares according to the Ramsar record.