Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter 1866 - 1943
Beatrix Potter is best known for her beautifully illustrated children's books of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and friends. She spent many childhood holidays in the Lake District and these influenced her work. Squirrel Nutkin sailed on Derwentwater and Hawkshead was the setting for The Tale of Johnny Townmouse.
With the profits from her highly successful publications, Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top farm, other hill farms and estates in the Lake District. She became an expert Herdwick sheep breeder and the first female president designate of the Herdwick Sheepbreeders' Association. When she died in 1943 she left 14 farms, sheep and 4000 acres of land to the National Trust.
Beatrix and Brockhole
To follow in the real-life Potter's footsteps, take a trip to the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, the home of Beatrix's cousin Edith who married merchant William Gaddum.
Descendent Anthony Gaddum recently revealed how the author used to write to her young second cousins Jim and Molly at Brockhole. He has even seen a letter to Molly based on Jeremy Fisher, complete with illustrations.
"I understand Beatrix was very close to the children. Although the National Trust were the main beneficiaries in her will, Jim and Molly were her heirs," said Mr Gaddum.
According to letters, Beatrix Potter and her husband came to Brockhole for the Gaddums' golden wedding anniversary celebrations in 1936.
"By then she had put on a certain amount of weight and was apparently wearing a dress with buttons down the back. When she got home she was unable to remove her clothes and had to sit up in a chair all night, until her housekeeper arrived," said Mr Gaddum.
Miss Potter - the film
The film "Miss Potter", available on DVD, and starring Oscar winner Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, has brought a surge of interest in the writer’s Lake District connections. Beatrix Potter loved the Lake District and was a key figure in saving the traditional Herdwick sheep from extinction.
Renée Zellweger as Beatrix Potter standing by Ullswater copyright Momentum Pictures
Filming locations
Filming for "Miss Potter" took place in London, the Isle of Man and the Lake District at Loughrigg Terrace and Loughrigg Tarn, Grasmere and Yew Tree Farm, Coniston.
Lake District National Park Volunteers helped by marshalling rights of way, encouraging people to take an alternative route or to wait whilst filming took place. Filming during the Easter holidays in some very popular locations made for a busy time.
"The days were interesting and unpredictable, what with planes going overhead at the wrong time, paparazzi hiding in the trees in camouflage gear, trying to clear the fell side of people and ducking behind walls and trees to keep out of shot," said ranger Steve Gaskell who helped organise the mammoth marshalling task.
"Both the National Trust and the film company were very appreciative of the volunteers, and were impressed by their ability to talk to the public and help out", added Steve.
Useful links
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- National Trust's Beatrix Potter gallery
- National Trust's Hill Top Farm
- Miss Potter - the film - own it on DVD
- Royalty Cinema - home of the local premiere of "Miss Potter"
- Visit Miss Potter including interactive movie map
- World of Beatrix Potter with 3D models of favourite Beatrix Potter characters
- Yew Tree Farm, Coniston
- and you can buy soft toy versions of Jemima Puddleduck and Peter Rabbit at our Information Centres
Want even more visitor information?
Visit Golakes (opens in new window), the official website of the tourist board for The Lake District and Cumbria. Browse and book accommodation and attractions online and see what's on in the area.
