Hawkshead Whigs

As we leave Chester, we head north to Cumbria and specifically the village of Hawkshead. It is here where the little known Hawkshead Whigs originated and have existed since, at the latest, 1764. Our version is based on our popular SPELT & HONEY mix – one of our all-time classic products. Whigs are small, oval bread dough teacakes, which are made with lard and have caraway seeds added. There is some debate on the exact origin of the Whig. It might, for instance, be of Norse origin, where it was baked as an offering to the God Wigga. More likely, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is that its name derives from an old German term meaning slice or wedge. By the way: Our know-how about spelt extends from the selection of the variety via the analysis of the grain through to the perfect composition of the ingredients.

Recipe: Hawkshead Whigs (PDF, 938 KB)

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Hawkshead, the ancient township the Whigs are named after, grew as a market town after the dissolution of monasteries in 1537. Many of the remaining buildings and surrounding areas have barely changed since the 17th century. Many famous people spent time in this area of the Lake District. Beatrix Potter († 1943), author of "Peter Rabbit", lived on Hill Top Castle Farm where, parallel to her writing, she began farming, concentrating on the breeding of Herdwick sheep that are so popular in the local context. Also author William Wordsworth, later to become poet laureate, spent time in the region. Wordsworth was sent to Hawkshead Grammar School by his father in 1778 after his mother had passed away. Today the school is a museum and open to the public.