Become a member
Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.
Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop
The former Beatrix Potter gallery is now re-opened as Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop
Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NS
Opening times for 15 August 2025
Asset Opening time Second-hand bookshop Closed MTWTFSS2829303112345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosed- Bookshop
- Car park
300 yards, in village, not National Trust.
- Dogs allowed
- Family friendly
- Toilet
In Hawkshead village car park, not National Trust.
- Seating available
- By road
Take the B5286 from Ambleside (4 miles); or the B5285 from Coniston (5 miles).
Parking: There is parking 300 yards away (pay and display), not National Trust.
- By train
The nearest train station is in Windermere, you can catch a bus from there, see below for more details.
- By bus
Stagecoach in Cumbria 505 from Windermere train station to Coniston, via Hawkshead.
- Cycling
- By ferry
Take the car ferry from Ferry Nab in Bowness across Windermere to Ferry Head.
Highlights
Second-hand Bookshop
Named after one of Beatrix Potter’s most beloved characters, this delightful little bookshop is full of charm and character. Inside, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of second-hand books, alongside a cosy space to discover other National Trust places and sign up for membership. Whether you're browsing for a book or exploring Beatrix Potter’s legacy, it’s a place to linger, learn, and be inspired.
Historic house
This charming building once housed the beloved Beatrix Potter Gallery, but its story goes even deeper. It was gifted to the National Trust by William Heelis—Beatrix Potter’s husband and a local solicitor—who used it as his office. It’s believed to be the very place where the two first met. Interestingly, this building has never been a residence. From its earliest days, it has always served a working purpose—whether commercial or charitable.
Beatrix Potter's Hawkshead
Pick up a trail map (suggested donation £2) and explore the village of Hawkshead through the eyes of Beatrix Potter. Discover the places that inspired some of her most beloved illustrations, and learn more about her deep connection to Hawkshead and the wider Lake District. The trail also includes delightful things to spot inside Tabitha Twitchit’s Bookshop. It’s a perfect adventure for curious minds of all ages.
Things to see and do
0
Places to stay
Rose Castle Cottage
A two-bedroom cottage just above Tarn Hows with heaps of character in the heart of the Lakes.
Trees
A 1930s log and stone cabin high above Lake Windermere with a sun terrace and great views.
High Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak in Windermere.
Low Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak into Windermere.
The Summer House
A cosy house in the old kitchen garden of Wray Castle with views of stunning scenery all around.
Low Wray Campsite
By Windermere, England’s largest lake, surrounded by things to do and places to visit.
Tanner Brow
Sitting on the western shore of Lake Windermere, this first floor apartment is a cosy retreat.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every shelf holds a story. Come in and wander round, browse and lose yourself in the quiet magic of well-loved pages and forgotten treasures. Whether you're hunting for a childhood favourite, a holiday read, or simply something unexpected, you'll find it nestled among the nooks and crannies of this cosy literary haven. It's the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again.
History
Article
Beatrix Potter
Discover how Beatrix Potter’s Victorian upbringing and fascination with animals culminated in a successful career as an author and illustrator and a passion for conservation.
Article
The stories behind the works of Beatrix Potter
Explore the stories behind the illustrations, sketches and letters of this legendary author, preserved by the National Trust at her former home in the Lake District.