http://www.visitcumbria.com

http://www.nationaltrust.org

http://www.beatrixpottersociety.org

I visited Beatrix Potter's Lake District home, in June of 1990. For me, it was the culmination of my love and admiration for those little books. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one of the first stories I recall hearing as a child.

Hilltop is situated, appropriately enough, atop a small hill in the village of Near Sawrey. I found it odd and amusing that approaching from the nearby town of Windermere, we traveled through Far Sawrey before arriving at Near Sawrey. Beatrix adored the Lake District, having spent holidays with her family boating on Lake Windermere and exploring the open hills and valleys with her brother, Bertram. Beatrix always carried her sketchbook with her and she drew watercolors of what she observed: rabbits, squirrels, even wild mushrooms.

Soon Beatrix added stories to her drawings and before long she was selling her books to a London publisher named Frederick Warne. Woven into her illustrations were scenes from her beloved Lake District. For example, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin takes place on the shores of Derwentwater. The Tale of Benjamin Bunny is set in the garden at Fawe Park. The Tower Bank Arms, an inn just up the road from Hilltop, is the setting for The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck. (The building is owned by the National Trust and serves pub lunches and evening meals.) When you walk up the path to Hilltop, you’ll recognize it as the backdrop for The Tale of Tom Kitten.

With the royalties from the sale of her books, Beatrix bought property. In 1905 she purchased Hilltop, a working farm, and in 1909 she acquired nearby Castle Farm. (Castle Farm is not, to my knowledge, open to the public.) Over the years, Beatrix purchased thousands of acres of Lake District land in order to save it from development. Most of it is now in the possession of the National Trust.

The farmhouse at Hilltop is made of dark grey stucco and on a wet day could look fairly drab. The interior, too, is rather dark—but not at all foreboding. Instead, there is a feeling of warmth that seems to come from Beatrix herself. There is the cookstove that appears in some of the books. To the right of the fireplace sit her hat and clogs. She often wore these to sheep judging events. Beatrix raised Herdwick sheep because they were in danger of becoming extinct. She was, in fact, the first woman president of the Herdwick Sheepgrowers Association.

Much of the author's original furniture is on display at Hilltop, including her bed. I loved seeing where Beatrix had slept. I think children would, too. I remember thinking it seemed fairly small for someone with such an enormous personality. A selection of her original watercolor and pencil drawings are on display. The gift shop is not large but is more than adequate.

Outside, visitors may wander about the gardens and sit atop the rock where Beatrix would often go to think.

Any child familiar with the work of Beatrix Potter would enjoy a trip to Hilltop.

Plan to spend several hours exploring Hilltop and the surrounding area.

High Green Gate Guest House: A must for tea or overnight accommodations. The best scones and clotted cream I've ever tasted!

Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead: Houses some of Beatrix's original drawings in the building where her husband, William Heelis, worked.

Brockhole National Park Centre: On the east shore of Lake Windermere. This was the home of Beatrix's cousin, Edith Gaddum. It now contains exhibits illustrating the characters and scenes from the books.

The Armitt Library, Ambleside: Beatrix was a member of the library and donated to it her watercolor drawings of fungus. You will come away with a new admiration for wild mushrooms.

Farther Afield:

Cotswold Farm Park: Come face to face with the rare Herdwick sheep—and many other breeds. Cows and chickens, too.

Books You'll
Find Useful:

Thanks to Maryann Weidt for submitting this delightful destination guide to Beatrix Potter's very special home in the hills.