My kids LOVE Beatrix Potter's books, along with so many children for the past hundred years. What a gift her writing was to the children's literary world. In planning our England trip, I knew visiting her home, Hilltop Farm, was at the top of my list.
Driving to the Lake District is an incredible experience...the slow crescendo of hills and mountains, the beauty of the shimmering lake water lingering around each corner, and a kind of fog that seemed to mysteriously hover over the little towns as if on cue.
I could just imagine Beatrix coming to the Lake District during her childhood and falling in love with it. As an adult, she bought Hilltop farm and then over the years continued buying more and more farms in the Lake District so she could preserve the area from urbanization. When she passed away, she donated all the land to the National Trust in England. One of my favorite children's books, Saving the Countryside, documents this very story with lovely illustrations.
Hilltop farm is located in the town of Ambleside. You'll want to purchase your tickets in advance on the website (here). There is a parking lot upon arrival, and then a place to show your tickets. Once you have checked in you walk down the road to the entrance of her property.
My kids just delighted in both the gardens and the house. Everett kept exclaiming "Is this Mr. McGregor's garden??". I think they kept expecting Peter Rabbit to pop out at any time haha! In the gardens they also had a little food truck with pasties and other treats. It's a gorgeous place to sit and have a picnic, I would recommend soaking in the lovely garden!
The house was fascinating to walk through as well. The furnishings are exactly the way they were when Beatrix lived there which was fun to see. The room where she painted was bright and airy which was a nice reprieve to the rest of the dark house with low ceilings! In one room they had a dollhouse with two little mice eating the doll food...it was her inspirations for The Tale of Two Bad Mice. The dollhouse vignette looks exactly like her painting, so it was fun to see.
I would 100% recommend visiting Hilltop farm if you or your children are fans of Beatrix Potter. A wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon!
After Hilltop farm, we drove into the cute little town of Ambleside & had lunch and an ice cream. If you're a Charlotte Mason fan (like me!) you'll know this is the place where Charlotte taught and had her school. I wish I would have had more time to explore it! The kids and I found a cute cafe on the lake called the Waterhead Coffee shop (highly recommend it, had the most adorable cottage core vibe with a wood burning stove, the most delicious hot chocolate and tea and scones, and was right on the lake!). Also, if you're looking for some affordable and fun accommodations, check out the bell tents on this estate...each tent has a wood burning stove which helped us stay nice and cozy! The kids LOVED it!
Let me know if you have any questions about the visit! Feel free to comment, email, or DM me on IG @hope_engaged
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