At Home with Beatrix Potter at Hill Top
Author and artist Beatrix Potter’s universe of characters have delighted readers for 120 years, since the first publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. She combined first-hand scientific observation with an imaginative hand-painted world of animals and gardens to become one of the most celebrated children’s authors.
In 1905 with the proceeds of her first ‘little books’, Potter bought Hill Top, a working farm in the English Lake District. She escaped from London as often as she could, to stay at her rural retreat, to draw, write, and immerse herself in country life. Beatrix drew inspiration from the house and nearly every room in the house is recognisable from her illustrations.
Many pieces of furniture were copied for her books: the dresser in Hall with its rows of blue and white plates that appeared in The Tale of Samuel Whiskers; the clock on the landing, next to the 18th century window, where Tabitha Twitchit stood; the dressing mirror that featured in The Tale of Tom Kitten.
In the garden, the green gate to the vegetable garden is unchanged from the days of Jemima Puddle-Duck. Today, Hill Top also tells the story of the author, her interests and activities through her collections of furniture, ceramics and artwork. In 1913, Potter married William Heelis and she turned to farming and raising sheep as she settled into married life. As Mrs. Heelis, Beatrix dedicated herself to the preservation of her beloved landscape and the traditional farming culture. Upon her death in 1943, she left a significant bequest of over 4,000 acres of land, 15 farms and cottages to the National Trust.
Alice Sage, Property Curator of Hill Top & Beatrix Potter Gallery, will talk about the author’s life and her devotion to the Lake District, often featured in her artistic works. She will lead us on a visual tour of Potter’s house and garden. She will highlight interior vignettes featured in her books and explain the hidden stories behind Potter’s treasured possessions.
Alice Sage, Property Curator of Hill Top & Beatrix Potter Gallery, National Trust
Alice Sage is a curator and cultural historian, interested in women artists, fantasy, and childhood.
Before becoming Property Curator at Hill Top in 2021, she held curatorial posts at the Edinburgh Museum of Childhood and the V&A Museum of Childhood. Over the years she has made exhibitions about fairies, dollhouses, automata, and children’s TV, and is fascinated with the different ways that we remember our childhoods and collect our memories.
At Hill Top, she creates an annual exhibitions of Potter’s original artwork and manuscripts, and leads the team that looks after Beatrix Potter’s beloved farmhouse for close to 90,000 visitors a year.
The Bedroom at Hill Top, Cumbria, home of Beatrix Potter.
