The Beatrix Potter Gallery

Today I'd like for you to go with us to a most special gallery in Hawkshead, England.  Beatrix Potter's first visit was noted in her journal:

"Went to Hawkshead.  Had a series of adventures, asked the way three times, lost continually, alarmed by collies at every farm, stuck in stiles, chased once by cows. "

Journal entry for August 19, 1882

My journal entry for our visit there last fall is a little different, but I can see how all of those adventures happened to Beatrix!

  

Riding in the English countryside it's always nice to have a car in front of us.  

It's kind of like a guiding light for us folks that are not used to driving on the left.

The golden leaves made a lovely tunnel to drive through.

Sheep grazing and soaking up the beautiful fall sunshine.

Hawkshead is a lovely little village that has dealt in wool trading since the early seventeenth century.  Having shops and banks and inns it was here that William Heelis had his law office.  Beatrix used his services to purchase some of her properties.  Of course, you know he later married Beatrix Potter.

Beatrix Potter Gallery in former law office of William Heelis

You may recognize many places around Hawkshead as it inspired Beatrix to use in her little books about the adventures of Peter Rabbit and friends.  Hawkshead has changed very little since Miss Potter visited this area.

Going inside of the gallery we are greeted by a lovely fire.  This gallery is run by the National Trust.  I can't say enough about the wonderful job they do taking care of so many properties.

Mandy Marshall's lovely Herdwick products are sold in the gallery.  She is hosting along with Susan Branch a picnic in May at her home, Castle Cottage.  I know some of you lucky souls are going to this event.  Castle Cottage was the home of Beatrix Potter and William Heelis.

I'll be sharing photos later about Hilltop and Castle Cottage.  We can't possibly come to the Lake District without visiting there!

The gallery is full of original works of art by the amazing Beatrix Potter. 

After looking at Beatrix Potter's lovely work we walked around Hawkshead and had a lovely lunch.

I hope you can find something you will enjoy for lunch.

Grayden had the chicken, brie and cranberry panini.

And I had the Coronation chicken salad.  Delicious!

Great thought above our table!

Walking around town we continued to see beautiful flowers.  Aren't these baskets lovely against the white?

We enjoyed walking the same streets as Miss Potter and her future husband, William Heelis.  Come with us next time as we continue our Golden Anniversary trip in Britain. ♥

England, Day Three, Part 2

After leaving Hilltop all I could do was smile.  The weather was improving and we made our way to Hawkshead.  I wanted to see the Gallery there with Beatrix Potter's original artwork.  The Gallery is housed in the old law offices of William Heelis--husband of Beatrix Potter.  Check out the National Trust page about the Gallery-Here   There is no photography allowed in the Gallery.  The two story office is quite small with a fireplace in the entrance.  We gazed at all the original drawings that fill this two story office.  How incredible!!!

Hawkshead is a lovely little town that is filled with little shops--  Yes, Beatrix Potter shops.

We left Hawkshead and knew we would be in for more narrow roads.  We decided we had time to visit one more National Trust site before going to our apartment.  See the GPS on the windshield?   I'm so thankful for this amazing tool.  By the way, in England they call a GPS (global positioning system)--SAT NAV(satellite navigation).

Somehow when I look at these photos, the roads look larger--trust me they are narrow!

We wanted to see Wray Castle.  So we are on our way! 

Wray Castle is a folly of a home!  The castle was built for two people!  No kidding.  Nathaniel Hawthorne said about Wray--"A mimic castle...a giant, foolish toy of graystone."  Beatrix Potter stayed here with her family in 1882 when their usual holiday home in Scotland was booked up.

Beatrix Potter and Family at Wray Castle

This is the castle we see as we drive to the car park.

Coming into the castle we see a large entryway.  Looking up we find this amazing view!

This castle is huge as one might expect.  There is one room after the other.  It was built in 1840 by James Dawson's direction.  The National Trust acquired it in 1929 and it has served many purposes since then.  It was a Youth Hostel, a Freshwater Biological Association home, a home for the Merchant Navy serving as RMS Wray Castle.  150 cadets lived here during their training.  In 2011 The National Trust wanted to lease the property as a hotel.  These plans were abandoned and instead they allowed visitors to Wray Castle.  It was so popular that they have been inviting visitors to come to Wray Castle since 2014.  It clearly is in transition and the National Trust invites ideas for consideration.

This is the view out of one of the windows!!!  It is breathtaking!

One of the rooms is dedicated to Beatrix Potter and contains many old photos of her and her family.

from left to right--Beatrix Potter, Beatrix Potter with bunny, Beatrix and brother Bertram, Beatrix and William Heelis, Norman Warne(Beatrix Potter's editor and fiance')

Wray Castle was quite interesting.  The views were spectacular!

Wray Castle property borders the beautiful Lake Windermere.  I love the views from Wray!

What a wonderful exciting day we have enjoyed!  

Since it is a holiday week in the USA, I thought we should extend the giveaway for another week.  If you wish to enter the giveaway from the previous post and have not entered yet, please leave a comment on this post.

I understand some of you are not getting the current post in your sidebar.  If any of you have any ideas about this please let me know.  I'm clueless about why this is happening.

Happy Fourth of July! ♥