- Wray Castle - Your morning starts with a visit to Wray Castle for spectacular scenery and lake views. This is the holiday home where Beatrix first fell in love with the Lake District. There will be plenty of time for photos.
- Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House - While on holiday, Beatrix visited many of the small villages in the area and Near Sawrey became her favourite. This village features in many of her “little books” illustrations. The Tower Bank Arms is immediately recognisable as the place where Kep, the collie-dog goes looking for the two fox-hound puppies to rescue Jemima Puddle-duck. You will be amazed when you see it, exactly like it is in the book!
One of the reasons why Beatrix visited Near Sawrey so often was because while staying on holiday in the area, the Potter’s coachman and his family were lodging at a farm there. That farm was Hill Top and is the one Beatrix later bought with the profits from publishing Peter Rabbit. She often visited her ‘holiday home’ Hill Top and wrote many more books here which were inspired by the people and the places around her in this beautiful part of England.
We stop at Near Sawrey and Hill Top for you to see the locations which are so recognisable in the books and the place where Beatrix Potter lived. Entry to Hill Top IS included in the price of this tour. Your guide will take you on a guided walk through the village to show you actual places illustrated in Beatrix’s books.
- Esthwaite water trout fishery - Close by Hill Top is Esthwaite Water where Beatrix walked while courting her future husband, William Heelis. This was a favourite spot for Beatrix who thought it “the most beautiful of the Lakes”.
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum - We now stop off in Hawkshead. Your guide will take you on a walking tour around this medieval village pointing out all of the important locations.
- Beatrix Potter Gallery - William Heelis was a solicitor who advised Beatrix about her land purchases. His offices were in Hawkshead village. They are now the Beatrix Potter Gallery.
- Tarn Hows - Beatrix bought a lot of land in the Lake District and owned the beauty spot Tarn Hows. Here you will have a photo opportunity here.
- Coniston Water - Coniston Water is the third largest lake in the Lake District and is the straightest. You will have a short stop here to admire the view and see the famous fell of Coniston Old Man towering over the village and the lake.
Beatrix also owned a lot of farms in the area and as we travel down the Yewdale Valley back to Ambleside, you will see Yew Tree Farm, famous as a location in the film “Miss Potter”.
- Live commentary on board
- Knowledgeable guide available throughout the tour
- Food and drinks
This tour includes visits to:
• Wray Castle, where Beatrix celebrated her 16th birthday and first fell in love with the Lake District, which later became her home.
• The village of Near Sawrey, a place Beatrix frequented and drew inspiration from for her illustrations. It’s also the place where she found joy in settling down and tying the knot.
• Hill Top, the house bought by Beatrix from the earnings of her Peter Rabbit publication.
• Esthwaite Water, where Beatrix would spend her time fishing from her boat.
• The village of Hawkshead
• Tarn Hows, a spot personally purchased by Beatrix and hailed as one of the prettiest places in the Lake District.
• Coniston Water, where you can enjoy magnificent lake views and take in the sight of Coniston Old Man
• The Yewdale Valley, where Beatrix had ownership of farmlands including the Yew Tree Farm featured in the film Miss Potter.
- All passengers, including children of any age, must have a seat purchased for them
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
