Hill Top

It was way back in July that we first visited the garden at Hill Top, former home of Beatrix Potter, and then at the beginning of November when our planned trip to view inside the house was thwarted by the announcement of a second lockdown. Not expecting we would make a return visit until the spring, you can imagine my excitement when The National Trust announced they would be opening it's doors at weekends during the run up to Christmas. So, after making a booking earlier in the week, this morning we drove out to Near Sawrey to take a look inside. 

The large front door was adorned with this beautiful wreath.

Decorated for Christmas and with a fire burning in the grate, the house had a warm cosy feel and appeared just as it would have done when Beatrix herself lived there. The dark wood panelling made the rooms appear quite small but they were larger than I expected.

The view over the kitchen garden from one of the upstairs rooms.

The dolls house, which belonged to Beatrix Potter. If you zoom in you can see some of the hand painted furniture and decorations inside.

The guide told me the pelmet had been embroidered by Beatrix herself, whilst in a Liverpool hospital, recovering from an operation.

The scullery.

Back in the garden once again. 

Can you see a friendly face in amongst the leaves?

This gorgeous little robin came to say 'hello!' 

I think the guide had been right in saying we'd experienced the garden at it's best during the summer and the house looking it's best all warm and welcoming, beautifully decorated for Christmas. 

This afternoon we've been for a walk in the woods to do a bit of foraging. Tomorrow I have Christmas cards to write, and I'm going to be making a door wreath of my own. 

J. X

Hill Top

On Monday we finally got the opportunity to visit Hill Top, former home of Beatrix Potter and inspiration for many of her books. I had originally wanted to visit earlier in the year as it had been one of the school's topics for the spring term, but better late than never, and although we couldn't go into the house itself, we might at least be able to enjoy the garden while it was lovely and quiet.

We parked up on Windermere's  west shore and enjoyed a simple picnic lunch before walking up a short track to Claife Viewing Station, which suddenly appeared through the trees and offered beautiful views across the lake. The courtyard café had recently re-opened, so it was here I was able to enjoy my first proper coffee since the beginning of lockdown, and it tasted oh-so-good.

From there we followed the signposts for Hill Top, which took us uphill along tracks, and lanes to reach Near Sawrey. At one point we thought we might have been going the wrong way, as the signpost pointed away from the main road, but the route turned back on itself  and took an unexpected turn through the field and alongside a lovely little stream where we sat for a while on a bench.

I had booked our visit the previous week, so we had an allotted time slot and on reaching Hill Top we were welcomed by a friendly guide and given a brief run down of the distancing measures. The garden was one way only but we could go round several times if we liked. This little white gate, which is the entrance to the garden, can be found in The Tale of Tom Kitten book.

This pretty little pathway leads up to the front door of the farmhouse. This also features in The Tale of Tom Kitten and in The Tale of Pigling Bland.

To the other side of the fence is another pathway, then behind that is a small orchard.

It was so quiet. I imagine we would not usually have the garden to ourselves, so it felt rather special.

In the walled vegetable garden we searched behind the flower pots but still couldn't find Peter Rabbit.

I would like to go back again when we can have a look around the house but for now  I am more than happy to have been able to wander around the garden.

J. X