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
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
4.5
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
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
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
122 within 3 miles

Restaurant at the Tower Bank Arms
382
279 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub

Sawrey House Hotel Restaurant
261
383 ft$$ - $$$ • British • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options

Cuckoo Brow Inn
649
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub

Restaurant at The West Vale Country House
8
0.5 mi$$$$ • Pub
Frithy's Tea Room
9
0.5 miCafe

Courtyard Cafe, Claiffe Viewing Station
11
1.1 mi$

Boardwalk Bar & Grill
546
1.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Bar • British

The Little Ice Cream Shop - Hawkshead
226
1.9 mi$ • Dessert • British • Vegetarian Friendly

Sun Cottage Cafe
516
1.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • British • Vegetarian Friendly

Boaters Bar
200
1.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
Attractions
78 within 6 miles

Lake Windermere
4,104
1.9 miBodies of Water

Claife Viewing Station
173
1.1 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
156
1.8 miSpeciality Museums

Blackwell - The Arts & Crafts house
838
2.1 miHistoric Sites • Art Museums

Go Ape Grizedale
828
2.3 miParks

Brant Fell Above the Bustle
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
1.9 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Contribute
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
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
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
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.
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
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 .
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
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.
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.
Outbacksheila1331
Ormeau, Australia116 contributions
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Kirstie F
34 contributions
Hello, if the car park is full is there anywhere nearby to park or can someone recommend a place to park? Thanks.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK157,475 contributions
I saw plenty of cars parked on the country lanes near the house. There's also a parking area opposite the house that can accommodate maybe 4 cars. But if you're looking for a proper car park, then you're in for a long walk.
The NTS car park is actually quite good. I think it can accommodate maybe 25 cars.
hours of operation June 4th 2020
JDEK1956
London, UK15 contributions
No idea - best to look in the website for detailed information.
Julie G
Beverley, UK37 contributions
Which service bus do I get from Kendal to get to Hill top?
Andy mac
20 contributions
Hello I’m not sure but looking at google it’s over an hour to do so. If you can get to bowness easy enough I would recommend going on the car ferry on foot and doing the walk to hill top it’s so good.
Jeff S
Lemvig, Denmark33 contributions
Is it suitable for a wheelchair user?
Mandy & Andy H
Kent, UK152 contributions
No, it’s over two floors, you would only see two rooms,
Theresa G
40 contributions
What is the cost for admission?
Visit Blighty
2,752 contributions
Adult entry: £13.00 with gift aid, £11.50 standard
Child entry: £6.50 with gift aid, £5.90 standard
LanaLiverpool
Liverpool, UK1 contribution
How to get tickets for hilltop farm of or bonfire night
aussie1928
Batemans Bay, Australia338 contributions
Drive directly to Hilltop Farm and find a parking spot near the ticket office. They’ll allocate you a time slot based on demand. We were lucky to go straight in as mid afternoon and apparently quieter than normal - the farm is only a short walk from the ticket office. Good luck
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
- 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
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House:
- Beatrix Potter: Morning Half Day All-Inclusive Tour with an Expert Guide (From $97.17)
- Beatrix Potter: Afternoon Half Day All-Inclusive Tour with an Expert Guide (From $97.17)
- Beatrix Potter: Full Day All-Inclusive Tour with an Expert Guide (From $178.36)
- Beatrix Potter - Half Day - Up to 4 People (From $369.02)
- Beatrix Potter Private 5 hour tour (From $344.41)
- Hotels near Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House:
- (0.01 mi) Stoney Croft Cottage, SAWREY
- (0.01 mi) STONEY CROFT COTTAGE, 2 Bedroom(s), Hawkshead
- (0.02 mi) CROFT END COTTAGE, 2 Bedroom(s), Sawrey
- (0.02 mi) Croft End Cottage, SAWREY
- (0.02 mi) Belle Green Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House:
- (0.05 mi) Restaurant at the Tower Bank Arms
- (0.07 mi) Sawrey House Hotel Restaurant
- (0.53 mi) Cuckoo Brow Inn
- (2.29 mi) Dr Brews Coffee
- (1.83 mi) Boardwalk Bar & Grill
- Attractions near Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House:
- (1.79 mi) Sail 'N' Dine
- (1.64 mi) Windermere Canoe Kayak
- (1.93 mi) Bowness Bay Marina - Windermere Boat Hire
- (2.40 mi) Graythwaite Adventure
- (1.85 mi) Windermere Lake Cruises