Charming English village with 500 residents that ‘feels like you’ve stepped into an American Hallmark Christmas movie’
EVER wanted to step into your TV screen when watching a Christmas movie? Well, one village in the UK feels just like doing that.
Located in the Lake District National Park, the quaint and charming village of Hawkshead is full of old cottages and has a charming community feel.
Jerry Rebbeck, a local expert at Wheelwrights Holiday Cottages, said: “It’s like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.”
This small village becomes the ultimate festive spot thanks to its Christmas fair, which takes place between December 6 and 7.
Jerry said: “The fair takes place across one weekend every year, taking over the centre of the village with stalls, full of local produce, food and drink.
“This tiny village of around 500 people comes alive, with street performers, carol singing and even a lantern parade.
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“It’s a fabulous thing to visit and be a part of.”
But it isn’t just the Christmas fair that is worth heading to in the village.
Hawkshead is also home to a number of businesses with vintage shop fronts, which then in the lead up to Christmas create festive window displays.
Jerry shared: “Add that to the cobbled streets, and the village that look like they’re straight out of a Christmas fairytale.”
For those with a sweet tooth, head to the Chocolate Factory Hawkshead – which is a shop and cafe that hosts Christmas chocolate making workshops.
“It’s a great place to source stocking fillers, and makes for a great rainy day festive activity for families,” said Jerry.
The village also features a pretty church called St. Michael’s and All Angels.
It was built in around 1300 on the site of a Norse Chapel and what visitors see today mostly dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
Jerry said: “The view of the village from the 12th century churchyard is beautiful, with an easy walk back down to get a hot chocolate from quaint cafes such as The Minstrels Gallery Tea Room, or a glass of mulled wine in pubs such as The Red Lion Inn.”
Just a seven minute drive away or a 55 minute walk, visitors can also explore Hill Top Beatrix Potter House, which is a National Trust property.
The house is believed to be the place that inspired a lot of Beatrix Potter’s stories, and it has a cottage-garden, small cafe and shop and a second hand book-nook.
It costs £18.70 per person to visit, but will be closed from November 17 for the winter season.
Visitors can choose to stay in Hawkshead or in the surrounding areas.
Jerry shared: “In the surrounding area, only a mile away you can find holiday cottages in Outgate, as well as Ambleside, around five miles away.”
The small village also just 22 minutes from Lake Windermere, which is where the closest train station can be found and it is just a 30 minute drive from Grasmere.
If you also want to tie in a nearby city, then Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds are all between one hour and 55 minutes and two hours and 22 minutes away.
For a slightly smaller city, head to Lancaster, which is just an hour away.
There are a number of quaint villages that are pretty to visit around the festive period.
For example, you could also head to another village that was made famous by three Hollywood movies is perfect for feeling Christmassy.
Plus, the UK’s ‘most beautiful town’ set to star in huge new Christmas movie with Hollywood stars.