Tarn Hows
About
Stunning Tarn Hows offers an accessible circular (1¾ miles) walk through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views. A great place to walk and picnic, or to begin your wider Lake District countryside adventure. There are also rare Belted Galloway cattle and sturdy Herdwick sheep grazing by the tarn. There is a mobility scooter available for use for those who are less able to get around the Tarn.
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  • DaveQ2324
    Poole, United Kingdom481 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful idyllic place
    This tarn is a must to visit, It’s a National trust place and is well paved all around the lake/tarn, an easy walk of around an hour at a steady pace. Wheel chair accessible. Narrow roads lead to a fairly large car park.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 April 2023
  • ScotinEngland
    St Anne, United Kingdom1,741 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful walking
    A great walk on firm pathway round the tarn in wonderfully sunny weather. Clear signs and plenty of shady spots to sit on benches in the shade if so desired.£5 a car in the National Trust car park if not a member!! Walk length around 2 miles but worth it! Great atmospheric scenery. Worth a visit!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 May 2023
  • pesue1
    Nuneaton, United Kingdom571 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    One of the great spots in the country, tricky drive to get here. Few parking spaces. There are toilets and walks of various difficultiey. The views are stunning ,but we were surprised at the number of trees felled by storms. Beautiful national trust place
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 12 September 2023
  • Ellis P
    5 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Picturesque casual easy lakeside walk
    The views were very beautiful. We went on an evening and it made for a great easy short walk to unwind at the end of the day. There is a full gravel path leading all the way around the lake and a viewpoint part way through plus access to a waterfall. The gravel path sometimes strays from the lake however there are other less used tracks you can follow for further access towards the water.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 26 September 2023
  • holidaymanWashington
    Washington, United Kingdom2,122 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not what it used to be.
    At it's best when the trees are in full Autumnal colours. It used to be one of the most picturesque spots in the Lake District but has now been spoiled by becoming too touristy. There is a single track road with the odd passing place. We were almost run off the road by a descending transit van, then a jaguar 4x4 and a lambourghini; none of whom thought anyone else had any entitlement to be on the road.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 September 2023
  • Gareth Davies
    63 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful lake.
    An amazing lake to walk around. It is stunningly beautiful with amazing views. In my opinion, it is the prettiest lake in the Lake District. Parking is free for blue badge holders and access is surprisingly good - it is a single track road but with plenty of passing places.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 September 2023
  • Anuj_Mithani
    Mumbai, India3,924 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Serenity
    This is an easy circular path around a tranquil body of water, close to the village of Hawkshead. We found parking at the National Trust managed paid parking lot by the tarn. The machine only takes coins (£5 charge), but the local NT representative was kind enough to change notes for us. As you walk the path, remember to go through one the gates to a signposted viewpoint for some wonderful panoramas – only a short climb up. Tarn Hows was a favourite spot of the author Beatrix Potter and and it’s easy to imagine why.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 October 2023
  • Laura T
    Middlesbrough, United Kingdom7,002 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    circular 2 miles walk around the water on good paths - pram accessible
    This is a circular 2 miles walk through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views. There is a very accessible walk on a good, flat path which took us around 1 hour at leisurely pace with our pushchair. The walk starts from Tarn Hows Car Park; parking is £5 for 2 hours or free for National Trust Members. There is more information on this walk on the National Trust website. The path goes up and down a lot, quite steeply in places. We were fine with our heavy duty pram, but a wheelchair user would definitely struggle. Although the paths are very good they are made from lots of very small stones / shale, so quite bumpy. There were a few areas that were very steep and bumpy, but mostly like the few photos I've attached, to show the ups and downs of the path. We weren't that impressed by the views, certainly not like many of the photos on here! but it was an overcast day when we visited. We have been struggling to find walks we can do with the pram as 14 month old is getting too heavy to carry all day and this walk is ideal for anyone in same situation. We will return again another year when in the area, and hope for better weather next time!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1 390 reviews
Excellent
1 075
Very good
257
Average
40
Poor
12
Terrible
6

Andrew W
55 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Arrived on a cold and rainy day with very few other around and a storm brewing. Managed to walk the shortest route and see the raw beauty of the place. Will be back.
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AJJP1
Appleby-in-Westmorland, UK1 298 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Even though it was a half term Sunday, there were still spaces in the car park mid afternoon, and the clouds lifted and the colours were sublime .
For the full effect, add in Black Crag, which with the circuit of the Tarn, takes two hours.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laura T
Middlesbrough, UK7 002 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
This is a circular 2 miles walk through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views. There is a very accessible walk on a good, flat path which took us around 1 hour at leisurely pace with our pushchair.

The walk starts from Tarn Hows Car Park; parking is £5 for 2 hours or free for National Trust Members. There is more information on this walk on the National Trust website.

The path goes up and down a lot, quite steeply in places. We were fine with our heavy duty pram, but a wheelchair user would definitely struggle. Although the paths are very good they are made from lots of very small stones / shale, so quite bumpy. There were a few areas that were very steep and bumpy, but mostly like the few photos I've attached, to show the ups and downs of the path.

We weren't that impressed by the views, certainly not like many of the photos on here! but it was an overcast day when we visited. We have been struggling to find walks we can do with the pram as 14 month old is getting too heavy to carry all day and this walk is ideal for anyone in same situation.

We will return again another year when in the area, and hope for better weather next time!
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anuj_Mithani
Mumbai, India3 924 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
This is an easy circular path around a tranquil body of water, close to the village of Hawkshead. We found parking at the National Trust managed paid parking lot by the tarn. The machine only takes coins (£5 charge), but the local NT representative was kind enough to change notes for us. As you walk the path, remember to go through one the gates to a signposted viewpoint for some wonderful panoramas – only a short climb up. Tarn Hows was a favourite spot of the author Beatrix Potter and and it’s easy to imagine why.
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gareth Davies
63 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Solo
An amazing lake to walk around. It is stunningly beautiful with amazing views. In my opinion, it is the prettiest lake in the Lake District. Parking is free for blue badge holders and access is surprisingly good - it is a single track road but with plenty of passing places.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

holidaymanWashington
Washington, UK2 122 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
At it's best when the trees are in full Autumnal colours. It used to be one of the most picturesque spots in the Lake District but has now been spoiled by becoming too touristy. There is a single track road with the odd passing place. We were almost run off the road by a descending transit van, then a jaguar 4x4 and a lambourghini; none of whom thought anyone else had any entitlement to be on the road.
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ellis P
5 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
The views were very beautiful. We went on an evening and it made for a great easy short walk to unwind at the end of the day.

There is a full gravel path leading all the way around the lake and a viewpoint part way through plus access to a waterfall.

The gravel path sometimes strays from the lake however there are other less used tracks you can follow for further access towards the water.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pesue1
Nuneaton, UK571 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Friends
One of the great spots in the country, tricky drive to get here. Few parking spaces. There are toilets and walks of various difficultiey. The views are stunning ,but we were surprised at the number of trees felled by storms. Beautiful national trust place
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David C
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Signs up saying keep dogs on leads but lots of dogs were let loose. Jumping in the water which is not allowed. No wildlife seen when there usually is. People were ignoring all warning signs. Even one family let their naked child go in the Tarn to splash about. Now it is over run by ignorant people with dogs and poo! Needs better monitoring. It said Belted Galloway but there wasn't anything. Years ago there were plenty of Ducks, Sheep, Cows, Butterflies etc.. Yet ruined by people who just don't care.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SageTraveler
San Diego700 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Like many trails in the Lake District, there are no limits on which to choose, or where it leads.

Head out, walk & let your eyes drink in the moment.

Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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TARN HOWS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Tarn Hows

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