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Beatrix Potter was born on 28th
July 1866 in South Kensington London. She was educated by a
governess at home so did not have a great deal of contact with other
children. She did however have many animals including frogs and
newts and rabbits, one named Benjamin. Her first introduction to the
Lake District was when she was 16 when she and her parents rented
Wray Castle near Ambleside.
Many sketches and drawings made
while in the Lake District she used as greetings cards when back in
London. In time, with the encouragement of Hardwicke Rawnsley, a
family friend, had The Tale of Peter Rabbit published in
1902.
Thanks to the massive sale of her books she purchased Hill Top in
1905 where she lived for 8 years. It was in this beautiful 18th
century farmhouse where she found further inspiration for many
delightful characters until in 1909 she purchased Castle Farm, which
is just opposite Hill Top. More characters came to life here such as
Tom Kitten, Samuel Whiskers and Jemima Puddleduck. In 1913 she
married William Heelis, a solicitor in Hawkshead. In 1923 she bought
Troutbeck Park Farm where she bred her famous Herdwick sheep. In
1930 she purchased the Monk Coniston Estate which contained Tarn
Hows. She
died on 22 December 1943. She left fourteen farms and 4000 acres of
land to the National Trust.
To see some of her water colours
and drawings of fungi, mosses and fossils you can visit The Armitt
Library in Ambleside. You may also visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery
in Hawkeshead which shows some of her original watercolours and also
has an exhibition on the life of Beatrix. There is also a display on the film Miss
Potter. This building was once the office of William Heels, her
husband. Hill Top can be visited between early
March and Late October. It is looked after by the
National
Trust -
hilltop@nationaltrust.org.uk , and is very popular so you may
have to wait at times to view the house.
Beatrix Potter wrote
many of her famous children’s stories in this
charming little house drawing inspiration
from the countryside surrounding her. You may well recognise items
from her books as you tour the cottage.
Near Sawrey, Ambleside,
Cumbria, LA22 0LF
Tel: 015394 36269
Opening times
For more information:
Beatrix Potter Society
Hill Top & Beatrix Potter
Hop Skip & Jump
Miiss
Potter the movie
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