Beatrix Potter, who died in 1943, is best known for her children’s books featuring an array of charming animal characters, with illustrations depicting the characters in human clothing. Benjamin Bunny, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Squirrel Nutkin and their friends were brought together a few years ago as a collection of special 50P pieces, a testament to their enduring popularity.
Potter’s obvious affection for the animal world must in part stem from the fact that she made her home in the Lake District with all its natural wonders. Her house, Hill Top, now managed by the National Trust, is in the village of Near Sawrey, near the west shore of Lake Windermere. Some of her favourite possessions can be viewed in the house, while the garden, in the style of the English cottage-garden, displays scenes from her books.
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| Hill Top Near Sawrey 120510w. Photo by Strobilomyces, via Wikimedia Commons. |
On the other side of Lake Windermere, in Bowness-on-Windermere there is an attraction aimed at families called The World of Beatrix Potter with displays featuring the characters in Potter’s books. I have not visited, but it seems to get the thumbs-up on Tripadvisor.
