Lakes, Houses and Peter Rabbit.

I've just returned from somewhere that I've never visited before but have often wondered what it was like there, The Lake District, in northwest England.

 Coniston Water

It's a long drive, about 4 hours north but well worth the journey. The weather was quite overcast, apparently they get a lot of rain there but that's a good thing when you see how very green it is!

 Lake Windermere

We found a lovely place to spend the evening, at the edge of Lake Windermere is Waterhead. The sun peeped out for moments while I took these pictures.

Not far from Lake Windermere is a farmhouse built in 1626 called Townend. The interior is so lovely, here are some photos I took while I was looking around.

the kitchen

The large glass jar would be filled with water and placed in front of the candles to magnify the light on dark days and evenings. Great idea, I must try that sometime.

 Lovely carvings everywhere on beautiful dark wood 

and cosy bedrooms.

Although probably quite cold in reality. :)

Finally I'll show you my favourite place of all during my visit to the lakes, the little village of Near Sawrey. 

We visited the house of Beatrix Potter and had a stroll around the village looking for images from her books.

Here's the gate from her book 'The Tale of Tom Kitten'.

View from the vegetable garden of Beatrix Potter's house 'Hilltop'.

She took images from the house and village for her illustrations and included details like the beehive and the iron gate you see in the picture above and inside Hilltop, the furniture and rooms.

After she was married she moved to a house opposite Hilltop called 'Castle Cottage' but still used Hilltop for storing her drawings and for inspiration.

Castle Cottage, Near Sawrey, Cumbria

 Hilltop was left to the National Trust after her death with the understanding that it was to be kept in its present condition for others to enjoy.

And enjoy it I did!

Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter at the front door of Hilltop.

Thankyou Beatrix. :)