Hawker's Hut is an historic hut at Morwenstow, Cornwall originally built by the eccentric clergyman, poet and antiquarian, Robert Stephen Hawker (1803 – 1875), close to Higher Sharpnose Point. The hut is located approximately 1 mile from Morwenstow Church.

Hawker's Hut
The hut where Hawker spent many hours writing poems and smoking opium
LocationMorwenstow, Cornwall, England
Coordinates50°54′27″N 4°33′46″W / 50.9074°N 4.5629°W / 50.9074; -4.5629
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameHawker's Hut
Designated9 September 1985
Reference no.1328568
Hawker's Hut is located in Cornwall
Hawker's Hut
Location of Hawker's Hut in Cornwall

The hut is mainly of timber construction and is partially built into the hillside (earth sheltered) with a turf roof. It was originally built from driftwood and timber retrieved from shipwrecks by the eccentric vicar and poet. Parson Hawker spent many hours in the hut writing poems and smoking opium, perhaps inspired by the views of the Atlantic Ocean.[1] Visitors to the hut during Hawker's time there included Alfred Tennyson in 1848[2] (with whom Hawker toured Tintagel) and Charles Kingsley. Today the hut is accessible on foot from the coastal footpath via a short set of steps.

Hawker's hut has been maintained since its original construction although some of the original elements are still present. It is currently the smallest property belonging to the National Trust.[3][4]

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Notes

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  1. ^ Clegg, David (2005) Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly: the complete guide. Leicester: Matador; pp. 46-47
  2. ^ Hale, A., "The Land Near the Dark Cornish Sea" in: Journal for the Academic Study of Magic, Issue 2, pp. 206-225
  3. ^ "Hawker's Hut". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  4. ^ "History". rshawker.co.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
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50°54′27″N 4°33′46″W / 50.9074°N 4.5629°W / 50.9074; -4.5629