{"id":18194,"date":"2020-03-28T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-28T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=18194"},"modified":"2025-03-05T12:01:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T11:01:26","slug":"retrace-footsteps-beatrix-potter-lake-district","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/retrace-footsteps-beatrix-potter-lake-district\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to retrace Beatrix Potter’s footsteps in the Lake District"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddleduck\u2026 These are just some of the beloved characters created by Beatrix Potter in the Lake District of England<\/a>. The author is famed for her beautifully illustrated children’s books which are still read by children around the world over a century later. If you want to explore the stunning region that inspired Beatrix’s timeless tales, read on to discover the best Beatrix Potter landmarks to visit in the Lake District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hill Top<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credit: Allen Watkin<\/a> \/ Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hill Top farm is one of the most iconic places linked with Beatrix Potter in the Lake District. Beatrix bought Hill Top in 1905 for \u00a32,805, with the royalties from her first book<\/a>, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

The charming cottage overlooks the village of Near Sawrey, west of Lake Windermere, and it became her escape from London. Many of her beloved stories were written and illustrated in this traditional farmhouse, including the tales of Tom Kitten, Samuel Whiskers, Two Bad Mice and Jemima Puddleduck.

When you visit Hill Top, you’ll find a time-capsule of Beatrix’s life, just the way she envisioned. When Beatrix passed away, she left the National Trust instructions for how she wanted the farmhouse displayed to the public. Conservation was crucial to Beatrix, and she wanted her fans to view the house as she left it.

You can see parts of the farmhouse that featured in her original illustrations, like the Jemima Puddle-Duck gate. There’s an original William Morris wallpaper in her old bedroom and a bed hanging which Beatrix embroidered herself. You can even see the original desk where Beatrix sat and penned her famous tales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moss Eccles Tarn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credit: Christine Hasman<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can follow in the footsteps of Tom Kitten and Jemima Puddleduck outside the farmhouse, and spot the scenes that inspired Beatrix. Take a stroll from Hill Top to Moss Eccles Tarn, just as Beatrix did with her husband William.

Walk along the bridleway known as Stoney Lane, and see the place where Beatrix kept her rowing boat and boathouse. She spent many happy hours here sketching, and you can feel the magic that Beatrix saw in this beautiful world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The World of Beatrix Potter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credit: Jim Linwood<\/a> \/ Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dive into the world of Beatrix Potter at this incredible attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. You’ll get to meet Beatrix’s cherished characters as you explore 3D recreations of famous scenes. Wander through Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s kitchen, Jemima Puddle-Duck’s woodland glade, and the garden where cheeky Peter Rabbit escaped Mr McGregor’s net.

The World of Beatrix Potter is a wonderful attraction for children and adults alike, complete with all the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside that inspired Beatrix. There are virtual walks, theatre shows, and you can learn more about Beatrix’s life, including the cryptic code she used in her personal diary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Derwentwater<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Beatrix’s family spent many holidays on the shores of Derwentwater. It was here that she first fell in love with the beautiful countryside of the Lake District. Take a stroll along the lakes and you may just recognise the locations from her tales about Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Benjamin Bunny. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also see Wordsworth House (another famous author inspired by the Lake District), where some of Beatrix’s original artworks are displayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> 7 lessons Winnie the Pooh day can teach us all about life, love and friendship<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wray Castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wray Castle is one of the most important places associated with Beatrix Potter in the Lake District. Set on the shores of Lake Windermere, the Victorian Gothic castle was the first place Beatrix visited in the Lake District. When she was 16, she stayed at the castle on a family holiday, and it was here that she met Hardwicke Rawnsley, who encouraged her love of writing and helped get her first story published.

Beatrix loved to walk through the countryside with her sketch pad and draw what she saw. It was also here that Beatrix first recognised the importance of conservation and began to set in motion her plans to protect the beautiful Lake District. Thanks to Beatrix’s devotion to the Lake District and her efforts in buying numerous farms, which she later left to the National Trust<\/a>, the area is still breathtakingly wild and untouched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Brockhole (@brockholelakedistrict)<\/a> on Jul 11, 2017 at 9:43am PDT<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> \/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Today you can see the grand turrets and towers of Wray Castle. There’s a fantastic play area complete with a mini wooden fort, Peter Rabbit adventure rooms, artworks and films, and dress-up costumes to play knights and princesses. You can also enjoy a picnic on the terrace and soak up the stunning views across Lake Windermere that first stirred Beatrix’s imagination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GET INSPIRED BY:<\/strong> Britain and Ireland Panorama<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n