Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House

Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House

Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
4.5
Speciality MuseumsHistoric Sites
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 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. Hill Top can get busy. Pre booking is required to guarantee entry.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Dawn504201
    Nuneaton, United Kingdom65 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great house to see but car Park and house very over crowded,
    Arrived at pre allocated time. Car park was chaos. I think we Had the last parking space. Made our way to the house, absolutely loved it. Great to see it preserved so well. Staff were all lovely. But there were a lot of people in the house at the same time. Was overcrowded. I think maybe take fewer bookings to allow more space in the house and car park would make it an ever enjoyable visit.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 21 September 2023
  • Owenthomas
    Berthoud, Colorado978 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Home of Beatrix Potter
    It was in this house she wrote so many of her stories. We toured her home, which was full of references to her stories. There was also an extensive garden on the property. Recommend taking a guided tour of the house to get a more thorough understanding. Very large dollhouse on the upper floor.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 October 2023
  • Glenn K
    Brisbane, Australia71 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting History of Where Beatrix Potter Lived for Quite a Few Years
    The house has been mostly kept as it was when she lived there. The onsite staff didn't get in your face but happily answered questions. The garden was cute and obviously an inspiration for the books. I should note that my wife is a Beatrix Potter fan so loved the visit, whereas I only have a passing interest in the books & TV shows and no real knowledge of Beatrix Potter.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 February 2024
  • jscoates
    Leeds, United Kingdom269 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magical feeling
    This was a long awaited trip to celebrate my wife’s birthday. All the staff we met were so friendly and informative. On learning it was her birthday they gave her a little present. Although we knew a great deal about Beatrix Potter it was so special to be at Hill Top,an almost spiritual experience.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 February 2024
  • Amanda6076
    Beckenham, United Kingdom18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing staff knowledge
    We went for a Family day out And really enjoyed chatting to a member of staff. He was so friendly And informative! Could have stayed all day chatting - he knew so much detail on Beatrix Potters Life . He was able to recommend a biography That we found In the lovely gift Shop. Would highly recommend for the staff alone !
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 February 2024
  • NKay
    North East England, United Kingdom1,488 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hill Top Review
    We really enjoyed our trip to Beatrix potter Hill Top house. Both my daughter and I are big fans of her books, we looked around the house and took lots of photos. It was quite busy in there and had to be patient with others reading all the information. However, I can only imagine how much busier it would become as the weather begins to get better. Her house is exactly how I imagined it to be. We spotted a King George postbox near to the building outside which is was a bonus.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 March 2024
  • Tilly Lladnek
    Northumberland, United Kingdom218 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House
    The House was absolutely stunning, everything there was owned by Beatrix Potter and was all left in the same place except for one room which had information and snippets of Beatrix's books. It was a bit busy and it would probably be even busier as we get into summer and when it’s warm. The car park was a minute walk down the road but was empty, however it was small so I can imagine it being hard to park in the busier seasons. The staff seemed very nice. The house was located in a beautiful village with tons of history. I would definitely recommend visiting, especially for Beatrix Potter or history fans. I would to advise visit during the colder/less busy seasons as it would be crammed in summer.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 25 March 2024
  • Kate M
    United Kingdom21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved it
    Great place to visit. The staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable I asked about an interesting painting. I am glad I did the lady knew all about it. It was so nice to see so many personal items and I loved how they had the books open with the artwork that related to the room. Loved Peter Rabbits garden. The shop had everything Beatrix Potter you could possibly want.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 March 2024
  • bluemoonrose
    Illogan, United Kingdom208 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful
    Such a lovely place to visit, with friendly staff on hand and lots of interesting items to see and fun facts to read. Seeing Beatrix’s world come to life, how her surroundings inspired her writing and drawings was lovely. So nice that these treasures are being so well cared for. We had pre-booked our visit which seems a good way to allow smaller numbers of people to enjoy their visit in turn rather than being over run with too many all at once. Woujd thoroughly recommend visiting.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 March 2024
  • Ray C
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit.
    have wanted to go to hill top for many years and I was so happy to be able to make this wish come true on my recent visit to the lake district. The grounds were stunning and the history seeps through every blade of grass. A beautiful well kept premises which is well worth a visit for any Beatrix potter fan or indeed any body who enjoys a garden. thought the admission charge was acceptable. A bit of a faff to get to without a car.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 April 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,705 reviews
Excellent
1,449
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763
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70

Scarypete
North Yorkshire, England.66 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
This was one of the most disappointing places I have ever visited. Remembering the Peter Rabbit books from my childhood, I imagined immaculately laid out and tended gardens, under the watchful eye of Mr McGregor. Unfortunately the National Trust clearly have no interest in truthfully depicting the image of Mr McGregor and Peter Rabbit's garden, it is just a good earner/money spinner for the N.T.
The flower beds are an overgrown mess, with some wooden plaques periodically placed, with quotes purporting to originate from within Beatrix Potter's books. The vegetable garden is a shambles, there is a wooden wheelbarrow, typical of the type depicted in the books, stuffed in a corner of the garden; the gateway in the corner of the garden is so overgrown you can hardly see the gate, or the barrow. Instead of neat rows of vegetables there is an overgrown jungle. No effort whatsoever has been attempted to depict the pictures displayed in the books. The "Coffee Shed" in the orchard is a complete rip-off and certainly not worth the wait caused by the inefficient and surly service delivered by the one person behind the counter.
I am in my 70s and just very glad I had not taken any of our Grand-daughters, as they would have been incredibly upset by the let-down, of reality failing to depict the story books. Best advice, keep the memory of the books in your mind and save your money, by not wasting your time going to this attraction.
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim F
Oban, UK636 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Granted the National Trust doesn't control the weather but incessant rain only served to magnify basic management problems we encountered which should be sorted. We thought we had allowed plenty of time coming from Keswick to make our half hour booking window but in the end we were five minutes late. Lashing rain, slow traffic on the increasingly narrow roads and very poor signposting all contributed. Maybe we were wrong to expect a brown tourist sign, as with virtually all other National Trust properties throughout the UK. When we eventually got to the reception desk and pointed this out the lady made it clear this is a regular gripe and evidently the fact this is in the Lake District National Park make sit a problem. It certainly didn't make it a problem for the clearly signed Beatrix Potter Gallery just up the dale; there were several clear brown signs pointing the way. So we drove at least a mile past before deciding we had overshot, coincidentally at the same time as two other vehicles were turning round in the narrow lane. Once there the car park was full although credit to the lady volunteer who managed that situation as best she could. Once in the cottage - a bit of queuing in the rain first - there were too many people in the small rooms. No social distancing, no mask wearing and cramped rooms. No doubt the time slots are supposed to disperse visitors evenly but if people are arriving late.......Lastly I would agree with some reviewers that the experience is over-priced, though we are members. Goodness knows what it must be like in season.
Written 16 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathryn E
4 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
We came today to visit Hill Top during a trip to Windermere, however on arrival we decided £13 a head was a little too expensive for us personally, so, having read a google review that stated that the gardens were free to peruse, we decided to have a little look round. There were signs saying ‘please book a time slot before visiting the house’, however as we had no intention of going in the house, we assumed we would be ok just to look around the gardens. Our nephew loves Peter Rabbit so we also thought it would be nice to grab him a gift from the gift shop on the way out,
So, we wandered down to the house - all very beautiful and picturesque - took a photo, and turned to leave. A woman came out and asked us our time slot. I explained we had no time slot and that we were just looking at the gardens. Her tone immediately changed and she furiously stated: ‘you are aware that you have to pay’. To this I responded, ‘no, we weren’t’. Then, she very angrily, and in an extraordinarily rude tone demanded that we ‘leave the premises immediately’. I honestly can not recall a time I have been spoken to so rudely by a member of staff in all my adult life. Her attitude and tone was disgusting. If we were in the wrong to assume it was free to look at a garden and the outside of a house, then I would happily apologise. However, this particular member of staff did not give such an opportunity with her rudeness. To say I was livid is an understatement.
I would strongly suggest that the National Trust clearly states at the entrance ‘no admittance without a ticket’ thus avoiding confusion in the future. I would also suggest that the staff they employ be given training on appropriate ways of addressing the public!
Needless to say we followed the woman’s order to leave, without visiting the gift shop!
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daz Easty
Huddersfield, UK258 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
We had a free day membership so used it on a recent trip to the lakes as we were both interested in visiting the place for all the history behind it, and i'm glad it was free as i would be hugely disappointed if i had paid the usual entrance fee for what it was.
The Gardens were nice and well kempt with little 'notes' that Beatrix had wrote placed around it which were nice to read.
The lady guide at the front of the house was very difficult to understand as she spoke broken English and with a mask on made it very difficult to understand the information she was telling us, she was very enthusiastic though and seemed knowledgeable about the history.
The house was lovely though small and although there were some nice displays it would've been helpful had there been some information regarding the hostory of them and what the rooms were used for etc but there was nothing at all.
All in all a nice little place that passed 30-40 minutes but definitely not worth the money they are charging for it.
Wouldn't go again as it's a seen it once typ of place.
Written 14 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leah C
Granborough, UK99 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Couples
This place is worth a visit, however it is incredibly small and quite expensive for what it is. Due to covid, tickets were times, however far too many people were able to enter the house at once. Walk ups should be banned in my opinion as staff were struggling to deal with these in addition to people who had booked in advance.

More memorabilia would be interesting on addition to a larger selection in the gift shop.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter R
Dartford, UK1,304 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This is a must book at busy times as there is limited carparking and a limit to the number of people allowed into the small house at any one time. On arrival you first visit the booking office at the small carpark to get checked in and then walk about 200 yds up the road to the actual house. As you walk up to the house through the garden there are a few notice boards giving details of what character was influenced by that specific spot. The NT staff are all very enthusiastic about the property and keen to provide visitors with the pre written story of the property. The actual property itself is relatively small with about 5 rooms to look around, but with the numbers limited, moving around is not an issue. As you leave the garden to return to the carpark there is a small shop which has some interesting items for sale.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ellie
United Kingdom20 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Couples
Hill Top has been on my to visit list for a long time but sadly this was a disappointing experience.

As other people have said there is very little information about Beatrix Potter and her life in the house. I think the visit would be greatly enhanced by just some simple interpretation signs or handouts so that you can learn about her life.

The stewards in the house were very friendly and knowledgeable however there was very little opportunity to ask any questions as they were busy letting visitors in or chatting to other visitors, so having some information sheets for people to digest in their own time would be helpful. A lot of people are also allowed in at one time, so it is hard to spend a good amount of time in each room as they are very cramped.

Unless you are a member it is quite a pricey visit for the amount of time you spend there.

Thank you to the helpful and friendly staff though!
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LaJarrie
Southampton, UK495 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Couples
We really enjoyed our visit, fascinating to find our more about Beatrix Potter, and her affection for the Lake District. The garden was especially delightful at this time of year, and you can still see how it figures in many of her illustrations. Currently it is pretty essential to book a time slot entry, as people were being turned away when we visited.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

English Lakes Tours
36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We took our guests on a Tale of Beatrix Potter Tour and had a really great time at Hill Top. All of the tickets were pre-booked and we had no trouble parking which is a great start to any day! We walked through the village and into Beatrix's world as our own guide used her copy of the famous children's books to show our guests the exact locations for the illustrations. She told us all about Beatrix Potter's life at Hill Top. It felt as though we had slipped back in time and we half expected Beatrix to appear from behind a bush or something. Everybody loved the house & garden and had a coffee in the orchard before buying gifts in the shop and then moving on to our next Beatrix Potter location. Fabulous day as usual. Thanks to everyone at Hill Top who were so friendly & welcoming. We will be back very soon!
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kit Roman
Northwich, UK22 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Couples
Staff great/knowledgeable. For obvious reasons the cottage is very dark but there is absolutely no written information whatsoever. The guides are able to check for answers on their own sheets. But why these can't be available as handouts I don't know. We would have got an incredible amount more from the visit if we could have had a hand out. Guides cannot respond to everyone's questions at once. We watched a lot of folk who had a quick wander and left soon after full of unanswered questions. If you want to know about Beatrix Potter and the many facets of her great and varied talents, then visit the Gallery in Hawkshead. If you are waiting for a coffee at Joey's outdoor cafe do ensure you give yourself at least half an hour to stand in a queue of 4 people. It must be the slowest service in Europe and quite a few had to give up the wait in order not to miss their allotted viewing slot for the house.
Written 9 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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HILL TOP, BEATRIX POTTER'S HOUSE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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