Cottage garden in Far Sawrey copyright LDNPA

Far Sawrey Conservation Area

Why is Far Sawrey special?

Far Sawrey is a small village located on the historic trade route between Hawkshead and Kendal with attractive architectural and historic character. This includes:

  • St Peter’s Church, one of the few churches in the area
  • Buildings predominantly date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and include good examples of the vernacular tradition, together with buildings in the Arts and Crafts and the Vernacular Revival styles
  • Palette of  building materials reflects the underlying geology, carboniferous limestone and slatestone
  • Domestic buildings either constructed from rubble stone concealed beneath a render coat, or from slatestone with ashlar dressings
  • Associated neighbouring village of Near Sawrey
  • Settlement developed along a ‘spring line’
  • Historic lanes extend to the north and to the south of the village. Cuckoo Brow Lane runs northwards to Moss Eccles Tarn and Claife Heights, and a further lane runs south to the crossing of Cunsey Beck at Cunsey Bridge
  • Rural location set on the edge of a shallow valley containing Wilfin Beck
  • Dispersed settlement of farmsteads and houses surrounded by irregularly shaped fields
  • Many buildings with architectural and historic quality, five of which are grade II listed buildings, and many others which make a positive contribution to the area’s historic character and appearance
  • Significant long views westwards to Near Sawrey and to the Coniston Hills
  • Outstanding long views eastwards to Lake Windermere
  • Grass verges along the lanes and fields enhance the relationship between Far Sawrey and the surrounding landscape;
  • Important areas of native hedgerow, individual trees and tree groups
  • Network of public footpaths link the village to the surrounding countryside

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