Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows, which contains a tarn and lies approximately two miles northeast of Coniston and around one and a half miles northwest of Hawkshead in the Lake District in Cumbria, is a very popular tourist destination as it has a one and a half mile path around this picturesque tarn, which is level, well maintained and suitable for wheelchairs and prams.

Info Panel

Tarn: Tarn Hows
Location: Cumbria, England
Coordinates: 54° 23′ 0″ N, 3° 2′ 0″ W
Max length: 0.60 mi (0.97 km)
Max width: 0.16 mi (0.26 km)
Surface area: 0.06 mi² (0.15 km²)
Max depth: 590 ft (180 m)
Height above sea level: 5
Nearest village(s): Coniston, Hawkshead

This tarn, which is a man made lake, was developed from three smaller tarns – which were known as High Tarn, Low Tarn and Middle Tarn. The stream, which joined these tarns, was dammed during the 19th century.

The views of Helvellyn, Red Screes and the Langdale Pikes are truly spectacular. Interestingly, in 1929 Beatrix Potter bought the Monk Coniston Estate which included this tarn. She sold half the tarn to the National Trust and bequeathed the other half to them in her will. The National Trust, who have provided a pay and display car park near the tarn, maintain this tarn.

Accommodation near Tarn Hows

High Grassings B&B

Main Tourist Towns

Windermere Bowness on Windermere Ambleside Coniston Hawkshead Keswick

All Towns & Villages

Towns and Villages

Lake District Categories

Northern Lake District Southern Lake District Western Lake District Eastern Lake District

Lake District Lakes and Waters

Lake Windermere Coniston Water Derwent Water Ullswater