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Beatrix Potter's original artwork is on display in this 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 Beatrix 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

Early Peter Rabbit drawings © National Trust

Delicate drawings by Beatrix Potter

© National Trust

Ever wondered how Peter Rabbit came about?

'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.

The Tale of 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' 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

Blog link image

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 (opens in a new window)

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.