Hawkshead Grammar School Museum

Situated in the pretty Lake District village of Hawkshead, the Grammar School Museum tells the story of school life since its founding in 1585. Our most famous pupil was William Wordsworth and in its heyday this was considered one of the best schools in the north of England.

Wordsworth attended the school from age 9 to age 17. His love of the landscape was heavily influenced by his time in Hawkshead and his introduction to poetry started at the Grammar School with his inspirational Headmaster, William Taylor.

The school building dates from 1675 and the downstairs schoolroom has not changed much since Wordsworth’s day - you can sit at the desk where he carved his name and imagine how it would feel to spend your days learning Latin, Greek and Mathematics - by rote! Upstairs there are a number of permanent and rotating exhibitions highlighting aspects of the school story including the unique school library.

The historic library will also be open on select days, and you may be lucky enough to meet volunteers working on our library cataloguing and repair project.

Group tours can be arranged by contacting [email protected] or 015394 36674. Group rates are £4 per person, £1 under-16, teachers and guides enter for free.

We have a fact-finder quiz for children and you can try your hand at quill-writing.

There’s also a Wordsworth Walking Trails map which comes free with admission.

Visit Hawkshead Grammar School Museum for more information.