Booking your visit to Hill Top

How to book

Every Thursday we'll release new bookings and you can now book up to two weeks in advance. You can book up to 18 hours before a timeslot if we have availability. We strongly recommend that you pre-book your tickets to guarantee your entry. We will accept walk up bookings when we have capacity to do so.

• Entry and parking is free for members, but please bring your membership card with you. Non-members will need to pay.
• Please book one ticket per person, except for children aged 5 or under as they don’t need a ticket.
• You’ll need to choose a 30-minute arrival time for the day you want to visit.
• The timeslot is for your arrival time only.
• Tickets are for your use only and are not available for resale.
• We'll send your booking confirmation by email. Please make sure you fill in your correct email address when you book to ensure you receive your confirmation email.
• Please contact 0344 249 1895 for booking enquiries.

For group booking enquiries and school bookings please contact hilltop.groups@nationaltrust.org.uk. More information on school visits can be found in our Teacher Information Pack available here.

Hill Top is a traditional Lake District cottage. There are no modifications or alterations to the building. It is quaint and quirky, beautiful, original and will leave you feeling like you’ve had a true glimpse into the life of Beatrix Potter and her love of this place.

This does mean at more popular times it may feel busy in the house – consider visiting in the afternoons after 2.30, which tend to be quieter.

The car park is small with limited capacity, so please don’t arrive before your booked visit time as we may not be able to accommodate you.
Consider parking in Hawkshead and catching the 525 (from end March) or better still leaving the car behind and catching the Bowness ferry then the 525 bus to Hill Top.

Hill Top is still a working farm located in a rural area. This adds to its charm but there will be farm vehicles, working sheep dogs, cattle and sheep in the surrounding area.

Book your visit

Check availability and book your visit to Hill Top

Changing your booking

If you set up an account when you made your booking, you will be able to amend the date/time of your booking online up to 24 hours before the date of your visit, or by calling 0344 249 1895

If you are a member and can no longer attend, please let us know by giving us a call on 0344 249 1895

When you arrive

When you arrive at Hill Top, please make your way to the visitor reception building, located in the car park, to check in before entering the house.

Arriving By Car

Take the B5286 and B5285 from Ambleside (6 miles), or the B5285 from Coniston (7 miles).

There is parking available for 30 cars (including the disabled parking spaces) on site. Parking is free but the spaces do fill up quickly at peak times. The car park is small so please don't arrive before your timeslot.

Please find a parking space on arrival then make your way to the visitor reception building in the corner of the car park.

There are two designated disabled parking spaces in the main car park. Special drop off by the house can be arranged, please contact Hill Top to discuss your requirements.

Arriving by ferry

The Windermere vehicle ferry operates a cross lake service from Ferry Nab at Bowness for £1 per pedestrian per journey.

More information about the ferry service

Hop across the lake then follow the signs to Hill Top and Far Sawrey. It’s a 2 mile path requiring a basic level of fitness, but is an ideal way to catch a glimpse of the countryside that inspired Beatrix. As part of the route is on the road it may not be suitable for all.