5 tips to find inspiration at Hill Top this summer

Lady drawing at an easel in the orchard at Hill Top

Take a day to explore the landscapes, places, buildings and furniture which inspired Beatrix Potter. From the informal cottage garden to the calm of Moss Eccles Tarn, you can walk in Beatrix's footprints this summer.

1. Plant seeds with our very own Mr McGregor

On Tuesdays in August, get green fingered in the garden that Beatrix Potter created, and today is looked after by Pete, Hill Top's Senior Gardener. Don't worry, he's much friendlier than Mr McGregor! You'll be planting seeds such as lettuce, sunflowers and cress. Take home your plant, then watch it grow.

Summer view up the garden path at Hill Top, Cumbria Play Video
Video

Hill Top's garden in summer

The garden at Hill Top might be small but it's perfectly formed and bursting with character, especially in the summer months.

2. Get creative at the easels

What stories can you come up with inspired by your summer adventures? Sit in the orchard and take inspiration from the garden or farmland as Beatrix did. The garden features in the stories of Jemima Puddle-Duck, Tom Kitten and Samuel Whiskers and the surrounding farmland was her muse for many more tales

3. Walk to one of Beatrix's favourite spots

Moss Eccles Tarn in the summer

Beatrix Potter's Moss Eccles Tarn walk 

Follow this trail to one of Beatrix Potter's favourite places, Moss Eccles Tarn. This gentle walk takes you from the quiet village of Near Sawrey to Moss Eccles Tarn and then back via the village of Far Sawrey.

4. Follow the Children's Trail

Hunt for hidden hedgehogs around the garden to complete the trail for little Beatrix Potter fans. If you find them all you'll discover many wonderful facts and myths about our prickly friends.

5. Book Now

Join an exclusive tour on Fridays, starting on 6 September for a chance to see Hill Top out of hours and get up close to items from the Beatrix Potter collection. The perfect opportunity for a quieter experience of Beatrix's farmhouse.

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