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Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House

Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House, Hawkshead: Hours, Address, Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House Reviews: 4.5/5

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Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House

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Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
4.5
2,571
#6 of 16 things to do in Hawkshead
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
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10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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About
Hill Top was Beatrix Potter's most beloved place, packed full of her favourite things and left just as she wanted it for visitors to enjoy. You will see why she loved it so much and used it and the surrounding countryside as inspiration for many of her famous children's tales. Your visit helps the National Trust continue her work to look after the Lake District.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
122 within 3 miles
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546
1.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Bar • British
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226
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516
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200
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Attractions
78 within 6 miles
Lake Windermere
4,104
1.9 miBodies of Water
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173
1.1 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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156
1.8 miSpeciality Museums
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2.3 miParks
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168
2.4 miHiking Trails
Moss Eccles Tarn
28
0.7 miBodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Orrest Head
1,729
Historic Walking Areas • Lookouts
Holehird Gardens
477
Gardens
Beatrix Potter Gallery
669
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,571 reviews
Excellent
1,371
Very good
738
Average
317
Poor
87
Terrible
59
K Colvin
Shildon, Bishop Auckland, Durham, England12 contributions
Lovely Morning
Solo
Visited Hill Top this morning, got to car park at 10.30 for 11am pre-booked slot and was turned away by the lady in the car park as she said they were still waiting for some with a 10.30am slot to arrive. Not a problem the car park is small so I understood however whilst queueing to get out the car park another car came in who I overheard advising also for 11am booking and the lady let them park. I was so annoyed. Ended up parking at a ad-hoc lay-by just outside Near Sawrey and and walked back to Hill Top. Still had to go to car park which is a little walk past Hill Top to confirm booking at booking office. Hill Top itself lovely house and full of nostalgia of a bygone life. I love this sort of history. The house is very busy with tourists as to be expected and the gardens are lovely. Also able to see the house across the road where Beatrix actually lived once married. Overall the experience was lovely and not overshadowed by my annoyance with the car park lady who very nearly ruined the morning.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine K
Barnsley, UK673 contributions
Preserved in time
Our grandson chose to come here on our short break in the Lakes. The property is a short walk along the road from the car park, with clear instructions given to get here. The house is just as it was left, with Beatrix's hat on the chair, and shoes under it. It is not a s large a property as some, but it is fascinating. The garden is only small and there is a mobile catering van in a grass area by the garden, but it is not National Trust.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jenny s
1 contribution
No mr Mcgregor’s garden but lots of stories!
I had purchased a £14 ticket in advance for my daughter who is not a National Trust member. We visited Hill Top on the Sunday which was the day before our booking because the 5year old granddaughter was desperate to see Mr McGregor’s garden. Because it was a Sunday the house was closed and at the ticket office the assistant was adamant that we could not use our £14 ticket but pay an extra £5 to see the garden. She was definite that the National Trust would refund our ticket because “they did this all the time”.!
We marched up the road to the house where to my granddaughters disappointment the little patch of ground in front to the house Is overgrown with no evidence of vegetable patch. I spoke to an American sounding steward who assured me that “Mr McGregors garden is no longer here but is in another part of the United Kingdom”! Please tell me where??
So if you go to Hill Top on a Sunday and you are not anNT member you are truly in Fairy Tale land. Your £14 ticket will not gain you admission but if you pay an extra £5 you can visit a garden which is no longer there but is in another part of the UK.
I have written directly to Hill Top National trust about this but have received no reply.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
petina h
Stoke-on-Trent, UK17 contributions
Not impressed
Couples
Its a bit of a walk from car park whick is small . That when you manage find it not many signs for hilltop in none i sew . And all what you read she lived there she did not stayed there on holiday . Owned it . Then got married and lived in house 200 yards away .
But it was ok bit disapointed . One and only time i will go .
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alan M
Oberharmersbach, Germany16 contributions
A 'Cute' place well worth a visit, even for people who are not into 'Cute'
I am a hard-headed and tough career military guy, but when I was in the area, I had to visit Hill-Top. I love her stories, and read all of them to my kids when they were young. I was not disappointed at how interesting it was to visit the place where she did a lot of her writing and illustrating, and I would go again.

One bit of advice, if you are not competent driving on the left through narrow English lanes, take the ferry over from Windemere for you visit. It lets you off about ten minutes from Hill Top.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew P
1 contribution
Poor
Friends
Very poor not enough spaces for tickets cars just parking at will all so cars just parked in village up the road
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Outbacksheila1331
Ormeau, Australia116 contributions
The male volunteer brought the house to life
Friends
The male volunteer clearly knew the life history of Beatrix Potter. His stories & knowledge brought the cottage to life. Made you really appreciate her contribution to the local area & development of the National Trust.
Loved the little cards pointing out where she had drawn some of her character pictures
Written July 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Keith Hambly-Staite
Truro, UK7 contributions
Excellent potential but disappointing for some
Hill Top is an enjoyable experience particularly if you are familiar with the life of Beatrix Potter. But much needs to be done to accommodate people with limited mobility. Currently you park in a disabled place in the car park, queue for your ticket and then walk 200 yards to the house. Difficult if not impossible for many with mobility issues which merit a blue badge.

The museum which houses many of Potters watercolours is not always open at the same time and the house looks shabby and neglected on the outside. More than disappointing considering the importance of Potters legacy to the Lake District
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wanderingstarlet
Southwell, UK150 contributions
Obviously it never changes - that`s it`s charm.
To visit at a different time of the year when the garden is in full bloom is even nicer than early in the season. You have to make sure you have booked or at peak season you won`t be able to park. It is a lovely place to go round and to transport yourself into imagining what it would be like, night after night, sitting in the semi dark - wot ? no telly ? Still, Beatrix Potter was an inspired woman whose solitariness inspired an imagination that we should all be grateful for and her determination to conserve her home and countryside around it, as it was.
Written June 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine B
Cannock, England, United Kingdom212 contributions
Lovely visit
This is the 2nd time we have been here and enjoyed it as much the second time as before. Very interesting and house is just like the days she lived there
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 19 Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House tours on Tripadvisor