Beatrix Potter's Hill Top, England

After finding and boarding the ferry (see previous post), Brian and I landed on the west side of Lake Windermere in England's Lake District. Our day's primary goal was to visit Beatrix Potter's Hill Top, the museum house of the author and painter. A hike of about 1 1/2 miles was required.  

At the halfway point in the village Far Sawrey, we were ready for some refreshment. Perfect timing for a mid-morning cup of coffee and croissant at the Cuckoo Brow Inn.  

On the way back to the ferry in the afternoon, we stopped here again for a classic hearty Sunday dinner complete with Yorkshire pudding, which is more like a savory cream puff ideal for soaking up gravy. Delicious!

The walk to Hill Top afforded many views of stone hedgerows and flocks of sheep along the public footpath.

The sign indicates we're on the right track.

The gate into Beatrix Potter's garden with the edge of the village Near Sawrey in the background.

Even in the middle of autumn, what a delight to wander through Potter's cottage garden. 

The main entrance into Potter's Hill Top farmhouse. The museum highlights features of Hill Top that appear in her paintings, such as this door and the hillside across the lane that can be seen from an upstairs window.

The cheery fire on the cool day of our visit. I imagined the real need for it on cold winter days when Potter lived here in the early 1900s. 

Beatrix's collections give a glimpse into her personality. She had many interests and talents.

View of the garden gate out one of the upstairs windows. This setting provided Potter with inspiration to write and illustrate thirteen of her twenty-three books.

Time to go.  As we departed, we learned from one of the docents that this was the last day that Hill Top was open for the season. We had no idea! 

Brian leads the way back down the public footpath.  A wonderful day in England's Lake District!