Saturday, January 19, 2019

Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm




In all my wildest dreams would I ever think I would be able to return to Near Sawrey and visit Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm again.  Hill Top sits on land that she bought in 1905.  Her little books success allowed her to buy many properties that she left for posterity in the National Trust.  This very area gives me goosebumps.  The famed author, land owner, artist and giver of joy to us all can be felt in a very real way!  Planning our trip for our Golden Celebration, it was not hard to include this very special place in our itinerary.  I wondered how I would feel this time as compared to our visit two years before.  You may want to go HERE to read about it.  Let's hop aboard the ferry and drive over to a most special place.  It's a foggy, misty, moody morning as we quietly ride over.


The ferry ride was a short distance over Lake Windermere between the narrowest part of the lake between Bowness Nab and then to Far Sawrey.




Then off we go to follow the narrow hedge lined lanes through the misty morning fog.

"We cannot stay home all our lives, we must present ourselves to the world and we must look upon it as an adventure." 
Beatrix Potter



The mist now has turned to rain and we reach the parking lot for Hill Top in Near Sawrey.  


We now have our timed tickets to tour Hilltop at 10:40 am.  Hill Top is a very popular spot for visitors to the Lake District.  The flowers at Buckle Yeat Guest House were still in bloom on this early autumn day. 


Buckle Yeat was Beatrix Potter's inspiration for her illustrations in "Tom Kitten" and "The Pie and the Patty Pan" and "Pigling Bland"  in her famous little books. 

  
Walking past Buckle Yeat we walk further and see Tower Bank Arms.  



Tower Bank Arms was also featured in Miss Potter's "The Tales of Jemima-Puddleduck."  As you can see from the clock we need to continue up the road to the gate that leads into Hill Top.



Just across the way we catch a glimpse of Castle Cottage.



This was Beatrix Potter's home when she married William Heelis.  If you follow Susan Branch I'm sure many of you recognize the the white house and the grounds where she had a picnic for all the Girlfriends that were lucky enough to attend!  We already had our plans well in advance of her invitation.  It would have been glorious to meet up with her and the Girlfriends. 



As we enter the gate we walk up the slate lined path that Beatrix Potter included in "The Tale of Tom Kitten" as well as "The Tale of Pigling Bland."  This path leads to the excitement of the reveal of Hill Top!



Miss Potter planted flowers along this path and intermingled herbs.  I can't help but wonder if any of those plants still exist.  Surely they must!



At last we are there at the open door of Hill Top!  Such an exciting time to walk through the doorway again.  Through the door that Beatrix Potter walked through many times.  My heart is filled with emotion again as I walk into her home.


   
As we are greeted at the door, the gentleman told me I could take photos without a flash inside if I wish.  Our last visit photos were not allowed.  I must say I was surprised and started snapping away.  It's very dark inside and I must say my photos are really not that good of the inside.  I must have been shaking as my photos appear to be as well.








Miss Potter kept the original portion of the farmhouse for her own use.  She had an addition built in place of the barn next door.  Her farm manager lived in the addition.  She loved old oak furnishings and tried to buy as much as she could.  She disliked the old furnishings of farmhouses being sent off to London.  In a letter to her friend, Bertha Mahony Miller, she wrote, "The local furniture in this district was oak, rather out of fashion in the sale room now, but I collect any genuine pieces I can get hold of to put back into the farmhouses."  December 1934



Mr. Jeremy Fisher in cast iron.



There are treasures galore in this wonderful home that belonged to Beatrix. 











This ebony cabinet with the lovely Wedgewood pieces on top got my attention.  



Her small bedroom houses a large canopied bed.  As you can tell the ceilings are quite low --hardly room for such a large bed. 




Love this interesting note to Louie Warne!



This is her view from her window and her bed. 



This is a letter from Fredrick Warne who eventually published her little books. 



This is the  long case clock that was inspiration for Beatrix to draw in "The Tailor of Gloucester."

When you visit someone's home you get to know them more personally.  Visiting Hill Top Farm gives you a sense of one more layer of the brilliant Beatrix Potter.

" What heaven can be more real than to retain the spirit-world of childhood? " 
Beatrix Potter


Stepping out the front door we walk down and see Mr. McGregor's garden. 



We did not see Peter Rabbit that day, but I'm sure he's hiding away in the shrubs. On the left side of the home you can see the addition Beatrix Potter added for her farm manager.



Or maybe Peter has found a hole in the garden wall and is back home with his sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton Tail and his mother.



Mr. McGregor I believe your garden is okay now.  We'll head out the gate and go over to have some lunch.







We stopped in Tower Bank Arms to have our meal.



They seated us at the lovely window table.  






Grayden enjoyed the Cumbrian Beef and Ale Stew with herbed dumplings.



I had the fried shrimp and fries.



With our bellies full we reflected on the joyous day in Near Sawrey.  Thinking about Beatrix Potter we totally understand that her vision was to save this area for posterity.  The quiet beauty has been preserved well in spite of many tourists like us that come to see the beautiful area that she called home.  Thank you, Beatrix Potter and The National Trust ! ♥
















43 comments:

  1. Martha Ellen, I loved seeing your photos of Beatrix's house in Autumn. We are hoping we can return this Autumn and I'm wondering when exactly you were there. I don't want to go too early or too late in order to still see greenery AND Autumn colors. You lunched at our table at Tower Bank Arm. 😊Because we stayed there 4 nights they reserved the table for us each morning and the two evenings we ate dinner there. I thought their food was excellent.

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    1. Cathy, we walked off the QM2 on September 14th and toured the Lake District and Scotland for two weeks. Then on September 28th we drove down to Devon and spent two weeks there along with Cornwall. We wanted to do the northern part first and then the south last in case the north would be too cool later. On October 13th we boarded the QM2 to return home. It was lovely seeing the autumnal changes in Britain. I'm excited to hear you are returning. The table at Tower Bank Arms was the best seat in the house, wasn't it? ♥

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  2. What a lovely visit, thank you for sharing, it's like being there with you!!

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  3. Oh you lucky woman! To have visited there twice! I love that woman and her story and her writings and how she lived and what she saved.. she is truly a treasure. I truly appreciate you sharing your visit with us and the wonderful photos. In fact you inspired us to watch "MIss Potter" again this evening. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. I'm so glad I inspired you watch Miss Potter again, Teresa. Isn't that a wonderful movie? Beatrix Potter was truly an amazing woman for her time. I am forever grateful for the gifts of properties she left to the National Trust. She is a true inspiration to all women! ♥

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  4. Oh, what a surprise! Back to Hilltop! I just watched the movie, Miss Potter, so this was just so perfect. Thank you for posting this! Now, I think I will watch the movie again!

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    1. I've been so behind posting the rest of our trip. Thank you for visiting today. ♥

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  5. That was a fun tour. I love how you told the story of your visit and I felt your enthusiasm! Of course I was checking out all the garden areas! The furnishings in her home were quite nice. Love the rough hewn wood at the Tower Bank Arms.

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    1. Liz, this area has a piece of my heart. The beauty will be with me forever. ♥

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  6. A treat to see the photos inside the home, good the docent didn't mind and they turned out very well without a flash. What a pleasant view from the window of the countryside. I enjoy seeing the homes with the lush blooms hanging down the stone walls. So beautiful. Thank you for the tour, so good to see and hear about it.

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    1. Thank you, Betsy. It was lovely to see all the blooms all over Britain. It was quite a surprise to find I could take photos inside of Hill Top! ♥

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  7. OMG Martha ..What a fabulous tour... I dream of ‘ Hill Top” and Mr. MacGregors garden and Peter rabbit..from Childhood...How exciting to actually experience and see Beatrix Potters’ countryside... I so enjoyed this posting..It truly filled my heart with joy !!!..Big Hugs

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed our visit, Zaa. Hill Top is truly a magical place. Thank you for coming along with us! ♥

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  8. Wonderful pics. I would love to visit there. I love taking in older homes like that. I used to work at the Hermitage - Home of Pres Andrew Jackson. Oh..but that was many, many years ago. Enjoy taking trips with you.

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    1. Pam, it would be nice to visit the Hermitage someday. Thank you for visiting with us. ♥

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    2. I think you would love it. I have not been out there in years and things have changed on how they conduct tours now. I loved sitting out under the trees on my breaks. So nice.

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  9. What a joy to read and scroll up and down to revisit the photos a few times. It was a delight to come along with you on this delightful tour.

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    1. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the visit with us to Hill Top, Lorraine. I find myself thinking about the Lake District often. Have a good week. ♥

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  10. I remember your first visit to Hill Top (I took a little peek back too), and I am SO happy that you were able to return . . . and that you were able to take interior photos this time too! I can just imagine your delight at every turn, both inside and out! Love the grandfather clock . . . but there are so many things to love! Thanks for inviting us along on this return visit!

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    1. Cheryl it was a real treat to return to Hill Top and take photos of the interior, although they don't do justice to the furnishings at all. Thank you for coming along with us again. ♥

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  11. These are all such enchanting pictures, Martha Ellen. And I always love to see the food that you've enjoyed on your travels. It's mouth watering haha. The fried shrimp and fries sound Yummy. What a charming place Beatrix Potter's home was. She had many beautiful treasures in her home - that cast iron frog is delightful. The blue dishes caught my eye right away, so lovely. It was nice to see all the oak furniture. I've always thought it was sturdy, and my mother's desk that I posted is solid oak. I noticed the little desk area in this home, and all the red and yellow flowers outside makes it even more charming. I enjoyed sharing this wonderful experience of yours, Martha Ellen, thank you.

    ~Sheri

    ps....Happy Martin Luther King Day.

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    1. Sheri, it's always lovely to have you come along with us on our travels. We always enjoy sharing them with you. Oak furniture is usually well made and lasts for generations. It's wonderful you have your mother's desk. It must be one of your favorite pieces! ♥

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  12. I want desperately to visit Hill Top -- maybe in 2020, though I don't know how the mass transit is to get you there! I'd hoped to attend Susan's picnic but we'd already made our trip plans as well and too late to change anything. Your photos are wonderful -- I especially love the gardens and you are so right about getting to know someone when you can see where they lived.

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    1. Jeanie, I know folks that travel all about England on mass transit. I'm sure you can look up schedules and figure a way to visit the Lake District. It's my most favorite area of England! We rent a vehicle on our travels as it suits us better. Thank you for stopping by. ♥

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  13. Such beautiful photos.

    I think I should like to sit in the room with the fireplace and spinning wheels and knit a bit. How about you?

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  14. I really enjoyed reading about your lovely visit to Hill Top farm which is such a special place to visit. I also wrote a post about our visit which you might be interested to see. I got 'lucky' as Peter Rabbit and friends decided to join us!!!
    https://wherefivevalleysmeet.blogspot.com/2016/07/peter-rabbit-and-friends.html

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    1. I'll stop by to visit soon, Rosemary. Thanks for stopping by. ♥

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  15. What a thrill this would be for me! I can imagine the second time might be even more enjoyable than the first. I have a large collection of her little books--in fact years ago I built a tiny bookcase for them that just fits them. Now my grandchildren are enjoying them. I love your new header! Very pretty.

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    1. Dotsie, I was absolutely thrilled to go back to Hill Top! Having been before it felt like visiting an old friend to my heart. I have the little books as well and a miniature set that is so fun to enjoy. I hope you are well and are enjoying your week. ♥

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  16. Beatrix Potter makes even a wet and gray day a delight. It was so fun to be included on this tour. Thank you Martha Ellen!

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    1. As you well know that's England. Thanks for visiting with us, Judy. ♥

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  17. Beautiful English scenes and how wonderful to be able to visit Beatrix Potter's cottage. You documented it beautifully Martha Ellen. I thoroughly enjoyed your fabulous photos. Thank you :)

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Denise. I love this area so much and could go on and on about its beauty! ♥

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  18. I think we would all love to travel there! It feels so familiar to us after reading about it over the years! Oh, and I don't know how many times we've watched Miss Potter! It's one of my favorite movies! Thanks for sharing these amazing photos! Next time we'll all come with you! heehee! Hugs!

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    1. Diane, that is a wonderful idea! We could all go together. Thank you for visiting this afternoon. ♥

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  19. I enjoyed this post so much! How delightful to be able to go and visit the very place she lived. I love her and her books :-) Yes I love Susan Branch too and have read about her journey there as well. i would LOVE to go! Someday I hope..... lol but until then I can enjoy posts like these and dream a little.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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    1. Jill, I'm so glad you enjoyed traveling with us. You are always welcome. It's fun reliving this journey with my friends here! Dreams do come true. Enjoy your evening. ♥

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  20. beautiful flowers of photos 4 and 5 from the top.
    greeting- evi erlinda

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  21. I sat and read your lovely post, and what an absolute delight.
    Eddie and I just adore the Lake District, and although we have visited Near Sawrey and Far Sawrey, we never went into Hill Top … so your post was extra special.

    We are hoping to visit the Lake District again later this year …

    All the best Jan

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    1. Jan, the Lake District makes my heart happy! How fortunate you both are to live in England. I adore your country and especially the Lake District. I think you would enjoy Hill Top! The National Trust takes such good care of Beatrix Potter's farm. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by. ♥

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