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. :)



Comments

Karen said…
Lovely! Great minds think alike! ;) xx
Thank you Jess for this most beautiful photo essay of your trip. I enjoyed ALL of it! x
And I say a grand "Thank you" as well to Beatrix Potter for preserving the beauty that captured her childlike spirit. How many of us have been warmed by her rich illustrations of nature, her simple yet comforting tales of animals with clothing and personality? Thanks to her love, courage and talents, we are still inspired.

THANK YOU SO MUCH JESS, for taking me to the Lake District this morning. I long to go there - my next stop in Europe will be England, and this area I must see. I need to see The Hilltop, the lanes where she walked and then made Peter and his friends lippity lip along the way. Stunning, absolutely magical.

Your header is GORGEOUS! The colors speak to me and move me so....happy weekend dearest Jess! Anita
Martina said…
It looks magical Jess! I bet you could paint there very well, because everything seems so undisturbed by the hustle and bustle .... and i love the green! Hope you have a happy sunday, xx
Unknown said…
Jess, what a lovely holiday and such a beautiful part of the country. I've always loved Beatrix Potter; she was a remarkable woman and an inspiring role model. Thanks for sharing :)
lynne h said…
yes, to what everyone's said, jess... thank you! it's so very beautiful there. the greenness... what caught my eye the most though is the carving on the clock at townend. it looks like earth loving people lived there. : ) also the jar full of water to magnify the candlelight! wonderful!

i've read about the lake district in historical fiction but had no idea what it looked like. thanks for giving me an idea!

xoxo
Unknown said…
I feel like I'm on vacation in this wonderful post, Jess! Gorgeous photos!
rossichka said…
Oh, Jessie, what an inspiring post! A place, "soaked" with history and art - it must be very exciting to be there, especially if you like Beatrix Potter!
I suppose this article might be of interest for you.:)
http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/07/28/beatrix-potter-a-life-in-nature-botany-mycology-fungi/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+brainpickings%2Frss+%28Brain+Pickings%29
Sigrun said…
Jessie, thank you for that wonderful journey! A beautiful area, I've never been there before.
Sigrun
Java Harmony said…
very beautiful photos...the old house is very beautiful..!
sarah said…
these phots are so captivating.
Tammie Lee said…
wonderful to see your photos
glimpses of another life
beautiful
and the water in jars is a lovely idea, must look enchanting

Popular posts from this blog

More Cottages During Lockdown and a Change in Medium.

Illustration Friday: Confined

A Day Out