Hi All!
Apologies for my absence but I’ve been on holiday to the beautiful Lake District. I promise to catch up on all the wonderful things you’ve been posting about, but first I wanted to post about all things Beatrix Potter related from my holiday.
I’ve wanted to go to the Lakes for a long time for many reasons but the main reason was to see Beatrix Potter’s house, Hill Top. The Lakes is a stunning part of the country, with its beautiful water and greenery. Hill Top was a piece of this incredible jigsaw.
Everyone’s grown up with Beatrix Potter’s tales: Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Benjamin Bunny, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Tom Kitten and others, and I was no different. I adored them! The stories, the pictures, each being equally magical for me as a young girl.
It started with Peter Rabbit, originally written in a letter, being published in 1902. For well over 100 years, these stories have inspired and shaped many childhoods. The humble cottage at Hill Top is no less inspiring.
Beatrix Potter was a remarkable lady with many talents. She wrote, drew illustrations, painted, sheered sheep, ran a business and played a key role in the community at Sawrey. She bought vast amounts of land to protect it from future developments, meaning the rolling green hills were and always would be protected. The views from her cottage were just incredible.
As I was walking around her cottage, I felt nothing less than inspired. To see the places that shaped her stories, the life she so happily lived, was just sublime. Her cottage has been left pretty much as she lived in it. I felt if I closed my eyes, I could see her and her life here. There are references to animals and the outdoors everywhere. I personally loved this little fella:
Its small size made it feel even more intimate and homely. You could step inside and just live there. It was welcoming and cosy; I knew straightaway why she preferred here to her London home. It was peaceful and tranquil. As soon as you walked in through the front door, you could feel what it was like to be home.
Whilst exploring here, I also had the opportunity to see some of the places that inspired the stories I came to know and love. It’s something I really enjoy doing. When you’re able to see for yourself the pages coming to life, it is a gift. I felt so genuinely grateful that it has all been preserved for us to see and continue to love.
The first iconic location was Anvil Cottage which featured The Tale of Samuel Whiskers.
Second is the world famous Postbox from Peter Rabbit.
Next is the Ginger and Pickles shop. It doesn’t look like a shop now but the building is much the same. This of course comes from The Tale of Ginger and Pickles.
Then on the trail was The Old Post Office from The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan. This too isn’t a post office anymore but again the beautiful is lovely.
The penultimate place was Tower Bank Arms which was so lovely. We popped in here for a drink and some cake which was a naughty treat. However, it was a really quaint place. This features in The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.
Lastly, and from my favourite Beatrix Potter story, The Tale of Tom Kitten. I am talking about Tom Kitten’s gate of course. The view was spectacular. It’s a stunning place.
Hill Top is an amazing place. It’s thought provoking, inspiring and I had an amazing time. I think Beatrix Potter would be so proud of the legacy she’s achieved. For one lady to continue to inspire millions of children for generations is really quite remarkable. I’ve been so desperate to go and I’m so thrilled I have.
I hope you’re all having an excellent August. Enjoy the rest of the week!
Big love xxx
Looks dreamy!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It was incredibly! Glad you like it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Josh 😊 hope you’re well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Doing fine. Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peter Rabbit is my favourite.. especially the story of Peter’s father..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peter Rabbit is so prolific. It’s amazing that these tales have stood the test of time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks again for the write up
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for appreciating it. Means a lot.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That must have been a fun trip for you! I think I would enjoy seeing Beatrix Potter’s house and all the surroundings that inspired her wonderful stories. Glad you’re having such a nice August!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I loved it so much! It’s just quite far for us to go but it was absolutely worth it. Hope you’re well too and enjoying the summer. X
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow… I did not know about this author at all. The photographs inspired me to check her out. Thank you for sharing… Just wow
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re so welcome! She’s amazing. The stories are fairly short but the characters are just loveable. I really hope you enjoy it. Let me know how you get on. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will check it on Amazon. Sometimes books are extremely expensive for me. No sales happen here.. Thanks for giving me a new author.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw that’s such a shame. You may be able to find pdf versions online? I’ll see what I can find out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just few days ago, I was reading a BrainPickings article on Beatrix Potter and I was astonished by the kind of life she lived. Apart from her children books, she also did an extensive research on the types of mushrooms (Flammulina Velutipes) that existed. Her detailed drawings of several species is just incredible.
Now I see your post on her. So happy for you Charley 🙂 I wish someday I would visit there too. Thanks for this lovely post!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, you’re absolutely right. There’s plenty left to find out about her. I’m so so glad you’ve enjoyed it. I loved it. If you get there, I hope you love it as much as I did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you go to the museum while you were at the Lakes? We didn’t get a chance to go up to the house like you have here but the museum was really good. I loved Beatrix Potter books when I was little.
Rachael | https://rachaelstray.com/
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes I did. I really enjoyed it too. It was so wonderful to see the illustrations in the flesh as it were. I also went to the Beatrix Potter Experience too which was so much fun! She’s one hell of a lady isn’t she!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahh …. , how wonderful a time you must have had. Lake District is indeed such a beautiful area and the nature astonishing. I used to live in West Yorkshire so it wasn’t far to visit for weekends and breaks.
Beatrix Potter and her village you describe so beautifully. Love this post.
miriam
LikeLiked by 3 people
Aw I love Yorkshire! It’s such a beautiful place in the world. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it! I was so overwhelmed by it honestly. It’s a place where photos just don’t do it justice. I hope you’re well dearest. Thanks so much for your lovely appreciative comment! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, your pictures look so lovely, and the idyllic scenic cottage looks like the perfect weekend getaway location. I can imagine how Beatrix Potter got her inspiration from, and it must’ve been lovely to find out the locations she wrote at.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s amazing isn’t it? I’m not a ‘writer’ but even I felt like I wanted to give it a go! It’s just such a beautiful place. I’d love to live in a little cottage like that. So so quaint! Thanks for your lovely comment! I really appreciate it. X
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure! I always love seeing where other people go to on their holidays ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do too! There’s not enough time in our lives to see everywhere so I’m always quite grateful for the snapshot! X
LikeLiked by 2 people
How beautiful I would love to visit and get to see Beatrix Potters house along with all the lovely locations that inspired her amazing stories xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was amazing. I feel so lucky that I’ve got to see it. It’s such a beautiful part of the world. Thanks for showing the appreciation Amelia xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was so interesting, I never read these books as a child, wish I had but there is a lovely entwining of Beartrix Potter in one of the ‘Seven Sisters’ series by Lucinda Reilly so my interest was sparked. Looks a wonderful place to visit.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, I didn’t know about that. Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention! I’ll have to look into it. X
LikeLiked by 2 people
Its a great series. Fiction built around facts. 7 books in all each telling the story of a different sister snd the seventh book will answer the hidden question.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heavenly post and I now want to go and read her book all over! The house is wonderful, cosy and the views stunning. It was fascinating to read and see the places nearby which inspired her as well. A beautifully presented and informative post … your joy at being there is palpable!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Annika! How lovely to hear from you. It was such a beautiful place. I really enjoyed it. However, it feels like such a different time now. School started again and my feet haven’t touched the ground. I’m sorry if I’ve missed anything on your blog. I’ll pop over now to look. Thanks so much for popping by. Hope you had an excellent summer! Lovely to see you back. Xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, I had a wonderful summer, very special. I can well imagine it’s tough falling back into the school life and that you’re extremely busy! A world away from the peace of the Lakes! My son has just stared Yr13 and doesn’t seem to have stopped since …with lots going on here I haven’t had a chance to post on my blog yet and will be doing so less for a while! Always a joy to read your posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did miss you! But I knew you’d be busy which is absolutely fine. Just know that I did notice! Aw good luck to your son. Yr13 is always busy but you’re striving for what you want to do next so I hope he has a positive year. Glad to hear you’re doing well. I’ll keep checking back just in case you’ve posted something. I wouldn’t want to miss it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
How special! I would love to visit as well. Loved tour pictures and description.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Darlene. It was so lovely. I would love to go back.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely… Thanks for sharing! 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for sharing this. I never knew all those things about her and to see her cottages and the story inspired buildings! Just awesome! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Aw that’s so sweet! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it. Maybe you’ll get to visit and see how amazing it is for yourself. It’s a really beautiful part of the world! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLike