National Trust Beatrix Potter's Hill Top & Hawkshead

14/06/2026

🐑 Experience life on a working Lake District farm 🐑

Run by the tenant farmers of Hill Top Farm, the Herdwick Farm Tour offers the chance to step behind the scenes of this historic farming landscape and meet the Herdwick sheep that are so closely linked to Beatrix Potter’s legacy.

This tour explores day‑to‑day life on the farm, traditional livestock management, and how farming continues to shape the special character of the Lake District today. You’ll hear first‑hand stories about working with Herdwicks and the enduring farming heritage of Hill Top.

✨ An authentic, farmer‑led experience for those interested in wildlife, history and the living landscape around Hill Top.

🎟️ Places are limited – booking online recommended*
👉 Book your place here: https://www.evententry.co.uk/hill-top-herdwick-exclusive-guided-tours
📍 Hill Top Farm, Near Sawrey
🔗 www.hilltopherdwick.co.uk

*Sometimes, there are spaces available on the day of your visit to Hill Top, just ask the team at the visitor reception and they can book it for you.

We are now taking Farm Tour Bookings for the 2026 summer season.

13/06/2026

🌈 We have joined forces with other National Trust teams across Cumbria and Lancashire to celebrate at Kendal Pride today! Pop by and see us if you’re in the area; we have crafting, seed packets, badges and good conversation!

🏳️‍⚧️ As a charity our purpose is to make nature, beauty and history part of people's lives. Pride and support for LGBTQ+ communities is part of our mission to make sure everyone feels welcome in everything we do.

🏳️‍🌈Being part of Pride is a way to introduce ourselves and our work to more people. Through sharing LGBTQ+ stories at the places we care for, walking in parades to celebrate LGBTQ+ with communities and colleagues, and giving out free entry passes to National Trust sites at events, we're encouraging everyone to feel welcome at the National Trust now and forever.

Image: [ A group of National Trust team members in Pride T-shirts at a Pride event in Kendal, Cumbria]

09/06/2026

This is the vegetable garden at Hill Top. It's a thriving small kitchen garden in the summer 🌿

Rows of lush, leafy vegetables grow in the soil, nurtured naturally without harmful pesticides – just as gardens once were. It’s a space alive with colour, texture and gentle care. All the plants grown are varieties that can survive the challenging Lake District climate; lots of rain combined with a stony, slightly acidic soil.

🌿 Discover the beauty of nature-led gardening at Hill Top and see what’s growing when you visit. https://bit.ly/3PHCDxZ

[Image description: Vegetable garden beds with leafy greens and brassicas set against dry stone walls, with rustic wooden supports and surrounding ferns in a traditional kitchen garden setting.]

08/06/2026

🐈‍⬛ Something exciting is happening at Tabitha Twitchit’s Bookshop today - an opportunity to view some conservation in action with wood specialists, Wynn Griffiths & Tarr Ltd, and our collections team.

🔨 Two of our upstairs floorboards have been lifted for the first time to complete some much-needed repair work, and they’re currently being reinstalled.

❓Pop in and ask our team about the work that goes into conserving historic buildings like Tabitha Twitchit’s Bookshop, formally the William Heelis Office, and see what goes on behind the scenes.

📚 If you have any books you'd like to donate, why not bring them along when you visit? All proceeds raised from book sales help support essential conservation work like this.

[Image description: A conservator working on floorboards in a historic building, currently operating as Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop. The conservator is using a specialist tool to re-peg the floorboards with the original wood.]

05/06/2026

🚧 Planning a visit to Hill Top? A quick travel update… 🚧

If you’re heading our way over the next couple of weeks, we just wanted to give you a friendly heads-up about a couple of events happening locally that may affect your journey.

The most important thing to know is…Hill Top is open as usual and you can absolutely still visit us.

🔧 8–12 June – Fibrus in Near & Far Sawrey
There are some essential works being carried out by Fibrus, meaning there are closures and diversions in place on nearby roads.

While some roads will be closed:

- Diversions will be clearly signposted
- You’ll still be able to reach Hill Top by car
- And if you’re arriving on foot or by bike (dismounted), access will always be maintained.

🏃‍♂️ Sunday 14 June – Windermere Marathon
It’s marathon day in the lakes, which is always a wonderful atmosphere!

There will be a temporary road closure near Hill Top between 08:45 and 10:45, with runners passing us from around 09:10 until approximately 10:27.
Don’t worry though—access to Hill Top will still be possible:

- A cone system will be in place to allow cars through to the car park from the south end of Esthwaite Water
- Extra signage will help guide you in

👉 You can take a look at the route here: https://www.windermeremarathon.co.uk

✨ Our best tip: allow a little extra time, follow the signs, and enjoy the journey—it’s a beautiful one!

We can’t wait to welcome you to Hill Top, and thank you as always for your patience.

[Image description: Quiet country lane leading into Near Sawrey village, lined with dry stone walls, trees and green fields under clear blue sky.]

04/06/2026

We love to see children exploring Hill Top and the surrounding countryside.

We’re sharing this lovely itinerary from , packed with inspiration for a day out along Windermere’s quieter western shore – with scenic stops, fresh air, and plenty of moments for little explorers to enjoy.

It includes arriving by boat at the Ash Landing jetty with , walking to Claife Viewing Station, visiting Hill Top and walking to Moss Eccles Tarn.💙

Take a peek and start planning your next day out 👇
🎥 Credit:

03/06/2026

📚 Are you free at 7pm on 8 June? Don't miss this online conversation hosted by Her Literary Society - Beatrix Potter Edition

This virtual conversation with our curator Katy Canales and will be exploring the role Hill Top played in Beatrix Potter's life and work and the ongoing efforts to preserve it. This discussion will be moderated by Hayley Solano, founder of Her Literary Society, and is free and open to the public as a part of Her Literary Society’s initiative to raise awareness about the importance of literary homes.

🔗 Register to attend online
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GTUsIvoeTJacPGbcR6nXgQ #/registration

03/06/2026

🚵‍♀ Today we celebrate World Bicycle Day!

🚲 Now we may not be seeing blue skies out of our window today, but when the clouds lift and the rain stops, there is no better way to travel around the Lake District, and take in the scenic views, than by bike.

✨ Did you know, there is no need to book at Hill Top if you come car free! Meaning, if you cycle to Hill Top, you can use our bike racks near the Visitor Reception and stroll right in to get your tickets.

🍰 Also, Joey's Café at Hill Top is the perfect pit stop for a coffee and cake, whilst relaxing in our beautiful orchard.

[Image Description: 1. Two people on bikes riding down a path surrounded by lush greenery with a blue sky with small white clouds. ©National Trust Images/Paul Harris 2. Two people stood in Hill Top's orchard, enjoying a coffee. They are surrounded by green grass and trees. ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor]

02/06/2026

Celebrating our incredible volunteers this Volunteers’ Week 💚

From answering questions in the rooms of our houses and doing guided tours, to caring for our gardens, fells, beaches and woodlands, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether welcoming visitors, supporting events or looking after our second-hand bookshops, their time, passion and dedication make a difference in every corner of the Trust.

We simply couldn’t do it without you — thank you for all that you bring. 🌿👏

🔗 Find out more or get involved: bit.ly/volunteerlakes

[Image descriptions: image 1 Text on a window reads 'Thank you to our wonderful dedicated volunteers' in white. Image 2 Garden volunteers with a trolley and plants at Sizergh. Image 3 Two volunteers sit in a dimly lit room with objects and paper in front of them at Hill Top. Image 4 four people building a dry stone wall in Windermere. Image 5 People standing in a green field building a tree cage with planks of wood. Image 6 Group of volunteers and staff in 1940s dress in the courtyard at Townend for Heritage Open Days. Image 7 Person crouched down in woodland doing coppicing in Elterwater. Image 8 Three people surrounded by tall green Himalayan balsam in Elterwater. Image 9 Person with cap on pulling out brambles in an autumnal garden at Allan Bank. Image 10 Two people planting a sapling inside a wooden tree cage at Common Farm to create an orchard]