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Notice: Temporary Road Closure. From 10.30 to 11.30am on Sunday 20 May the B5286 will be closed (due to marathon runners) from Brathay to Hawkshead Hill. If travelling to the Gallery from Ambleside alternative route available is via Coniston and Hawkshead Hill on A593 and B5285.

Beatrix Potter's original artwork on display in a 17th-century house

Step inside this charming old building to enjoy a new exhibition of Beatrix Potter's original watercolours and paintings.

This gallery has an interesting history, as previously it was the office of Potter's husband, William Heelis. Many of the pictures here are only displayed at this location. Learn more about Beatrix as a farmer and early supporter of the National Trust.

Please note: admission to the house is by timed ticket.

Beatrix Potter

Two portraits of Beatrix Potter in a single collage image © Rupert Potter & National Trust

Learn more about the real Miss Potter.

The Gallery is the place to visit to see Beatrix Potter's original artwork but you can also learn about the woman herself, her life as a farmer and conservationist.

Peter Rabbit is our 2012 exhibition theme

The colour frontspiece from the privately printed edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit © F Warne & Co

Ever wondered how Peter Rabbit came about?

© F Warne & Co

'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', which was Beatrix Potter's first published book, has been successful for over a hundred years and is now a children's classic.

Exhibition
To help celebrate Peter Rabbit's 110th birthday, our Gallery exhibition for 2012, is a fascinating look at how Peter Rabbit came about. Using a range of items from our Beatrix Potter Collection, seen together for the very first time, you can learn how Beatrix Potter brought Peter Rabbit to life and see the original art work used for the book's first privately-printed run.

Behind the scenes

Follow our blog © National Trust

Interested in what goes on behind the scenes?

Follow our Hill Top & Gallery weekly blog and learn more about:

  • what it's like for us here
  • what's going on
  • and what's new

Here's our blog (external link)

The changes we've made to the Gallery

We've been busy making changes to the Beatrix Potter Gallery. Looking from the outside everything is the same (and as one of Hawkshead's traditional buildings we wouldn't want to change it) but inside there are changes. Here's what's new:

  • we've introduced touch screen information so you can explore what's of interest to you
  • to help bring things to life we've introduced audio with extracts from Beatrix Potter's own journal and letters
  • younger visitors have space where they can enjoy doing the Gallery's activity sheets
  • there are quiet corners to enjoy your favourite Beatrix Potter books

We do hope you'll come and explore the Gallery for yourself.