Beatrix Potter Afternoon Half Day Tour with Lake Cruise
Overview
The Beatrix Potter Afternoon Half Day Tour with Lake Cruise combines a guided small-group tour of Beatrix Potter's Lake District with a 35-minute cruise on Windermere, England's largest lake. The cruise is included in the price, and the afternoon start suits anyone arriving in the Lakes that morning.
By minivan we visit Wray Castle, Near Sawrey and Hill Top, the seventeenth-century farmhouse that appears in several of her books. We continue to Hawkshead and up to Tarn Hows, part of the estate she bought to keep it from being broken up, and which passed to the National Trust. The afternoon ends on the water, cruising from Ambleside back to Bowness with the mountains rising on either side. Entry to Hill Top is included.
Tour highlights
- Wray Castle where Beatrix spent her 16th birthday and first discovered the Lake District where she was to later make her home.
- Near Sawrey village which Beatrix visited often, used as inspiration for her illustrations and where she happily settled and married.
- Hill Top, the house which Beatrix bought from the money she made from the publication of Peter Rabbit.
- Esthwaite Water where Beatrix fished from her boat and said was "the most beautiful of the lakes...some scenery is almost theatrical or ultra-romantic".
- Hawkshead village where she visited her future husband, William Heelis on business.
- Tarn Hows bought by Beatrix as part of the vast Monk Coniston Estate and regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the Lake District.
- Coniston Water with spectacular views of the lake and Coniston Old Man and from where Beatrix's Monk Coniston Estate land started which she left in her will to the National Trust to be worked and preserved for the nation.
- Yewdale Valley where Beatrix owned farms and land including Yew Tree Farm which you may recognize from the film Miss Potter.
What's included
- Half Day Tour
- Cruise on Windermere from Bowness to Ambleside
- Admission to Hill Top
- Knowledgeable guide to provide expert commentary and analysis, as well as taking care of practicalities and general support throughout the tour
- Experienced driver for your safety on the steep, narrow and twisty Lakeland roads
- Small group of up to 7 people for a more flexible and personalized experience
- Use of personal radio communication technology to keep you in touch with your guide when you are off the minivan (where applicable)
Not included
- Food and drink
Pickup points and times
- BownessPickup about 14:08, back about 17:49
- WindermerePickup about 14:00, back about 17:59
Itinerary
Stops may be visited in a different order depending on traffic, weather and opening times.
This half day tour will take you to all the important places associated with Beatrix Potter in just one afternoon. This is one of our most popular tours and gets fully booked quickly so please book early as we have limited places and dates available.
Your afternoon starts with a short drive for a visit to Wray Castle for spectacular scenery and lake views. This is the vacation home where Beatrix first fell in love with the Lake District.
While on vacation, Beatrix visited many of the small villages in the area and Near Sawrey became her favorite. This village features in many of her "little books" illustrations. The Tower Bank Arms is immediately recognizable as the place where Kep, the collie-dog goes looking for the two foxhound puppies to rescue Jemima Puddle-Duck. You will be amazed when you see it, exactly like it is in the book!
One of the reasons why Beatrix visited Near Sawrey so often was because while vacationing in the area, the Potters' coachman and his family were lodging at a farm there. That farm was Hill Top and is the one Beatrix later bought with the profits from publishing Peter Rabbit. She often visited her 'vacation home' Hill Top and wrote many more books here which were inspired by the people and the places around her in this beautiful part of England.
We stop at Near Sawrey and Hill Top for you to see the locations which are so recognizable in the books and the place where Beatrix Potter lived. Entry to Hill Top is included in the price of this tour.
Close by Hill Top is Esthwaite Water where Beatrix walked while courting her future husband, William Heelis. This was a favorite spot for Beatrix who thought it "the most beautiful of the Lakes".
William Heelis was a solicitor who advised Beatrix about her land purchases. His offices were in Hawkshead village. Your guide will take you on a short tour of this, "the most picturesque village in the Lake District".
Beatrix bought a lot of land in the Lake District and owned the beauty spot Tarn Hows. You will have a photo opportunity here.
A short drive will bring us to Ambleside for a 35-minute cruise on Windermere back to Bowness.
Good to know before you go
Weather
The English Lake District weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. Please bring a waterproof coat with a hood in case of rain or windy weather.
Footwear
As there is some walking involved in the tour, some uphill and on uneven or wet terrain, please wear suitable, comfortable shoes.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at Hill Top, Tarn Hows, Wray Castle and Hawkshead village.
Gift shops
Gift shops at Hill Top and Hawkshead village.
Solo travelers
This tour is suitable for solo travelers.
Children
This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 7.
You might also like
If you’d like to explore more of Beatrix Potter’s Lake District, our Beatrix Potter Morning Tour visits Hill Top, Hawkshead village and Tarn Hows. Want an exclusively private experience with your own guide? Our Private Beatrix Potter Afternoon Tour is just for your group. Fellow literary travelers may also enjoy our Wordsworth Afternoon Tour or our Wordsworth Morning Tour. Visiting from the US? Our American Visitors Guide has all the practical information you need.
Common questions about this tour
Is entry to Hill Top included in the tour price?
Yes. Entry to Hill Top is included in the tour price.
Is the tour suitable for children?
The tour is not suitable for children under the age of 7.
How many people are in the group?
Groups are kept small with a maximum of 7 people for a more flexible and personalized experience.
What should I bring on the tour?
Bring a waterproof coat with a hood as the weather can change quickly. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for some walking on uneven or wet terrain.
Is food or drink included?
No food or drink is included in the tour price.
Where does the tour depart from?
The tour picks up from Bowness and Windermere. Your exact pickup time depends on your chosen pickup point.
Is the tour suitable for solo travelers?
Yes, the tour is suitable for solo travelers.
Are there restrooms on the tour?
Yes, restrooms are available during the tour.
Does the afternoon tour include a lake cruise?
Yes, the afternoon Beatrix Potter tour includes a scenic cruise on Windermere from Ambleside to Bowness at the end of the tour.
Is the lake cruise included in the price?
Yes, the Windermere lake cruise is included in the tour price.
Can I book on the day of the tour?
Bookings can be made up to 30 minutes before the departure time from your chosen pickup point, subject to availability.
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