Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s home

: Location – Near Sawrey

Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top in 1905 with the royalties from her first few books, written at her parents home in London but inspired by her annual holiday visits to the Lake District. She visited as often as she could, but never for more than a few days at a time, sketching the house, garden, countryside and animals for her new books.

an image of the house and garden at hill top, a beatrix potter house and museum in the lake district — Hill Top – the home of Beatrix Potter.

After Beatrix bought the Hill Top she busied herself writing more books, and visiting her farm. In 1909 she bought another farm opposite Hill Top, Castle Farm, which became her main Lakeland base.

Beatrix wrote many of her famous children’s stories in this little 17th century stone house. Characters such as Tom Kitten, Samuel Whiskers and Jemima Puddleduck were all created here, and the books contain many pictures based on the house and garden.

Beatrix bought many pieces of land and property in and around Sawrey, including the Old Post Office, Castle Cottage and a number of small farms. In 1913, aged 47, she married William Heelis in London and moved to Lakeland, living at Castle Cottage which was bigger and more convenient than Hill Top.

an image of the entrance hall at hill top, a beatrix potter museum in the lake district — The entrance hall at Hill Top

There is a good example of traditional cottage garden, containing mainly old-fashioned flowers such as honeysuckle, foxgloves, sweet cicely, lupins, peonies, lavender and philadelphus. Roses grow around the front door. Fruit still plays an important role in the garden – strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries and rhubarb

When she died in 1943, Beatrix left Hill Top to the National Trust with the proviso that it be kept exactly as she left it, complete with her furniture and china.

Bar lunches and evening meals can be obtained from the Tower Bank Arms (NT owned) next door, during licensing hours. The Tower Bank Arms may be seen in ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck’.

aerial image of hill top, beatrix potter's home in the lake district — Aerial photo by Simon Ledingham.

Following the permanent closure of The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead, original Beatrix Potter watercolours can now be seen in a new display for 2024 at Hill Top. The special connection between Hill Top and her little books is the inspiration for the new display. Tom Kitten: What a pickle. A delight for adults and children with scenes from the book, original Beatrix Potter artwork, and interactive programming.

Hill Top is still the most visited literary shrine in the Lake District.

2024 Opening Hours – www.nationaltrust.org.uk

2024 Admission – Adult £15, Child £7, Family £37.50.

Parking is free at the National Trust car park about 100 yards north of the Tower Bank Arms. A timed ticket entry operates for the house. Advance booking guarantees entry to the house. See website for information and ticket sales

Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s home

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