The World of Beatrix Potter in Windermere attracts almost as many adults as children and over 20% of visitors are Japanese.
Beatrix Potter was not only one of the UK’s most famous children’s authors but is almost a ‘legend’ in Japan where most children are bought up on her books. As such, it’s no wonder the Japanese love the attraction.
A visit to The World of Beatrix Potter transports visitors on a journey through the life and work of the author, who set most of her children´s books in the Lake District, where she grew up.
Providing great fun for all the family, the show begins with a short film, introducing visitors to all 23 of Beatrix Potter´s tales. Next you are taken through indoor re-creations of Beatrix Potter tales, including Mr Tod´s underground home and Jemima Puddle-Duck´s woodland glade. A trip through Peter Rabbit´s Garden follows, and visitors then find themselves in the magical kitchen of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. Virtual walks follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter, and Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny are brought to life in 3-D.
Hill Top Farm Sawrey the Lake District
The inspiration for many of Beatrix Potter´s tales, Hill Top Farm is the 17th Century farmhouse where the author bought in 1905. It was initially used as a holiday home and later a permanent residence. Many of her ´treasures´ are still on display, and Hill Top Farm was the model for Samuel Whiskers illustrations and many others included in her books. A shop specialises in Beatrix Potter gifts and Hill Top was recreated for the major hit film, Miss Potter, which was released in December, 2006. Visitors are welcome to look around the farm and get a feel of how Beatrix Potter lived and worked in the early 1900s.
Each room contains something that appeared in her books, and when she died, she left the house to the National Trust, on the condition that the general public could look around it and that the house remained exactly as she left it. For Beatrix Potter fans, this is one attraction not to miss.
Beatrix Potter Gallery Hawkshead the Lake District
Hawkshead was where Beatrix Potter´s husband, William Heelis had a solicitor´s practice. The practice can still be viewed, along with information about the author´s later life, including sheep farming, conservation and her support for the National Trust.
The gallery is also home to original illustrations and paintings from The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Tale of Samuel Whiskers, and a display of the materials used in the film, Miss Potter. Free children´s activity sheets are also available.
The Life and Times of Beatrix Potter and the Lake District
Beatrix Potter became famous after writing her children´s books featuring animal characters such as Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck, but she was also well known in the Lake District for her conservation and mycology work (mycology being the study of fungi).
Born in London on July 28th, 1866, to strict parents, Beatrix Potter grew up isolated from other children and was educated by governesses at home. Beatrix had one brother, Bertram, who was educated at boarding school, which left his sibling very much home alone with her many pets. She had two rabbits called Benjamin and Peter (an inspiration for her later books), frogs, newts, ferrets and a pet bat.