It lies in the Patterdale valley, near Brothers Water, Hayeswater and Kirkstone Pass.

Hartsop retains its historic image, in that, in common with a number of other small Cumbrian villages, it had houses with spinning galleries.

Hartsop Hall, in the care of the National Trust, is located on the far side of the valley from the village.

The hall dates from the 16th century, formerly the home of the de Lancasters; in the 17th century it passed into the ownership of Sir John Lowther, a member of the family that later became Earls of Lonsdale.

Cumbria portal Media related to Hartsop at Wikimedia Commons