Beatrix Potter Hill Top House

Sunday 5th July 2026

We are in Windermere again today and are devoting our time to Beatrix Potter, the whole reason we have travelled to the Lakes District. Our first stop was downtown in Bowness, which in theory is part of Windermere – hence Bowness-on-Windermere. There are several Beatrix Potter locations in town including the display centre, a theatre, a gift shop (of course) and The Peter Rabbit Cafe. We spent time in the centre which featured all of her characters – Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, the Flopsy Bunnies, Tom Kitten, Mr Jeremy Fisher, Miss Moppet, Samuel Whiskers, Mrs Tittlemouse and more. The displays are done well and certainly engage all of the little people who visit.

 

 

 

By the time we were finished we had worked up an appetite and visited The Peter Rabbit Cafe for a delicious brunch.

 

 

We explored the town for a short while, but by this time the tourists were arriving by the bus load. It was time to depart and go in search of Hilltop House, Beatrix Potter’s house and farm on the western side of Lake Windermere. The house was bequeathed to the National Trust upon Beatrix’s death. After many twists and turns on country lanes (not roads) we finally found it. The first road sign we saw giving us directions to the house was at the carpark! The drive was certainly worth the drive. The house is on display just as she had lived in it; as per her wishes. I will let my pictures do the talking.

 

The village of Near Sawrey where Hill Top House and Farm are located