The History of Hill Top Farm
Hill Top Farm is a 17th-century house situated in Near Sawrey, near Hawkshead, within the English county of Cumbria. Historically part of Lancashire, the property is an example of Lakeland vernacular architecture, characterized by its random stone walls and slate roof. The house served as the home of the children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, who sought the site as an artistic retreat. In 1905, she purchased the house along with a 34-acre working farm.
The management of the land and farmstead was overseen by John Cannon. During this period, the farm functioned as a working landscape, and the house was modified to accommodate both the resident family and the tenant farmer. The connection between the farm and the surrounding landscape remains central to the site's history, as many of the local features provided the setting for various illustrations.
Upon her death in 1943, Beatrix Potter left the house to the National Trust. The National Trust opened Hill Top Farm to the public in 1946. It remains preserved to reflect the period in which it was inhabited, maintaining the atmosphere of a working Lakeland farmstead.
Architecture and Interior Features
This Grade II* listed building serves as a definitive example of Lakeland vernacular architecture. The structure is defined by its random stone walls and a heavy slate roof, materials that ground the house within the Cumbrian landscape. Inside, the entrance hall retains an original stone-flagged floor, providing a tactile connection to the building's historical use. The staircase and landing, featuring rails and banisters likely dating to the 18th century, lead upward through the core of the home.
The domestic spaces reflect a layering of different eras and personal touches. In the parlour, an Adam style chimneypiece was installed by Potter, marking a specific moment of refinement within the traditional setting. The bedroom contains an ornate four-poster bed from the mid-1600s, a substantial presence that anchors the room. Throughout the house, the presence of 17th-century oak and Georgian-style furnishings creates a sense of continuity. The wallpaper in the rooms was reproduced in 1987 from the 1906 original, ensuring the visual atmosphere remains consistent with the period of its most significant occupation.
The Beatrix Potter Collection
The connection between the farmhouse and the illustrations is most visible in the garden. It is maintained in a style that reflects the settings of the stories, preserving the atmosphere found in the pages. The landscape features prominently in The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck and The Tale of Tom Kitten. In the latter, specifically the 1907 version, the garden serves as a central stage for the narrative. This continuity between the physical grounds and the printed word creates a sense of presence that remains constant throughout the seasons.
Inside the house, the details of the stories are woven into the very fabric of the rooms. Carpets were specifically created to match the patterns and themes of The Tale of Samuel Whiskers. In the treasure room, a dollhouse contains a small piece of ham, a direct reference to the events in The Tale of Two Bad Mice. These objects are not merely decorations; they are the physical manifestations of the stories, placed within the rooms that inspired them.
- The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
- The Tale of Tom Kitten (1907)
- The Tale of Samuel Whiskers
- The Tale of Two Bad Mice
Visiting the Farmstead
The approach to the farmhouse begins at a visitor car park, leading toward a cobbled path that ascends from the site entrance. This path climbs toward the entrance, where four steps provide access to the building. For those requiring easier passage, an alternative smooth path is available to ensure the site remains accessible. The terrain around the house includes uneven ground and steps, particularly when moving toward the upper levels of the structure.
The orchard offers a space for quiet reflection, with benches provided for those who wish to sit. For those traveling by water, a vehicle ferry operates across Windermere between Ferry Nab and Ferry House, providing a ten-minute crossing for cars, bicycles, and foot passengers. The site remains a working farm, and the landscape is maintained in a style that reflects the original setting of the illustrations. A visitor can find a sense of stillness among the trees and the stone walls that define the boundary of the property.
