A Peter Rabbit Birthday Celebration

It’s no secret that Beatrix Potter is synonymous with the Lake District, Cumbria, and 2022 marks 120 years since one of her most famous creations - Peter Rabbit - was first officially published in his own story.

Potter’s family favourite first hopped onto the pages of ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ in 1902. In recent years he’s also had multiple television appearances, including a second animated feature film ‘Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway’ just last year.

To mark Peter Rabbit’s birthday year, why not take a look at some of the different things you can do to explore Beatrix Potter’s world…

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction: Peter Rabbit’s Garden

For a family day out, pay a visit to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness and explore Peter Rabbit’s Garden.  Just make sure you watch out for Mr McGregor and his net!

Meet some of your favourite characters and explore a magical world where all 23 of the enchanting tales are brought to life with sights, sounds and smells from the surrounding Lake District countryside. With plenty of activities to keep the children, busy adults can immerse themselves into the lives of Beatrix Potter with a fascinating virtual world and interactive area.

The all new ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER RABBIT’ show starts on the 18th June and runs through to the 4th September with up to 3 shows a day. Peter’s friends are planning a secret party, but Peter is unhappy… has no one remembered his birthday? Mrs Rabbit is baking a delicious Birthday cake but Mr McGregor would rather have a pie full of the rabbit who keeps stealing carrots from his garden!

Join in the fun and celebrate along with Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck and some of your other favourite characters who are brought to life in this new production featuring beautifully handcrafted puppets and enchanting original songs.
 

Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden
 

Beatrix Potter spent ten summer holidays at the Lingholm estate between 1885 and 1907, and the Victorian Walled Garden is on the exact spot of the old kitchen gardens, which Potter credited as the inspiration for Mr McGregor’s garden in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Stay awhile to enjoy locally sourced food and drink in the café, looking down on the octagonal walled garden and up to Skiddaw.

Wray Castle

Beatrix Potter also had an early connection to Wray Castle. As a teenager back in 1882, her parents rented out Wray Castle when their regular rental in Scotland was no longer available. It’s said that Beatrix’s favourite room in the castle was the library where her obsession for books become apparent. Catch a glimpse of the inside of Wray Castle with their seasonal castle tours. Perhaps you can tie this in with a stroll along the shores of Windermere that can be accessed directly from the grounds of the castle. A small gallery of lightboxes will be installed in the Castle showing some of Rupert Potter’s photography to celebrate the Birthday.

The Beatrix Potter Gallery

Why not head over to Hawkshead and visit The Beatrix Potter Gallery? The Gallery contains highlights of the National Trust’s collection of original Beatrix Potter artwork. Each year there is a unique exhibition displaying some classic gems and enabling you to discover dairies, letters, sketches and photos that inspired Beatrix Potter's work. These rarely seen items give a fascinating insight into Beatrix Potter's life, interest and love of the Lakes.

Hill Top

Beatrix Potter lived at Hill Top in Near Sawrey close to Hawkshead and was a pioneer for conservation and tourism in the Lake District. Upon her death, Beatrix left her 15 farms and more than 4000 acres of land to the National Trust. To this day you can visit Hill Top and see the former home of the famous author.

Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature exhibition opened on Saturday 12 February at the V&A Museum in London. A selection of the National Trust’s items belonging to Beatrix, including several from Hill Top and the Beatrix Pottery Gallery, are on display at the London museum. In the meantime Hilltop will be displaying some of Beatrix’s other items that it has in its possession.
 

Tarn Hows

Explore Tarn Hows, the man-made tarn created by combining three smaller tarns. It was purchased by Beatrix in 1929 with surrounding land. The 1.5 mile circular route around the tarn is one of the most popular walking routes in the Lake District due to its flat landscape and stunning scenery.  With plenty of picnic spots, pram and wheelchair access, it’s a great outing for all the family.

Lindeth Howe

Looking for the ultimate Beatrix Potter themed overnight stay? Look no further than the world’s only hotel ever owned by the Peter Rabbit’s creator. Built in 1879, Lindeth Howe was owned by Beatrix Potter for almost 20 years in the early 20th century and still captures the spirit of her love of nature and the Lake District landscape.

Guided Beatrix Potter tours

Why not let the experts take you on a tour to see all of the best bits of Beatrix Potter? In 2022 Mountain Goat are bringing back Beatrix Potter’s Favourite Countryside. This tour takes you on a lake cruise on Windermere, to the famous village of Hawkshead, to Hill Top the former home of Beatrix Potter and some of Potter’s favourite Lake District countryside.

Peter Rabbit and Friends Shops

Fancy a souvenir?  Visit the Peter Rabbit and Friends shops that sell a various range of products for young children and families. There are shops in Bowness-on-Windermere, Hawkshead, Grasmere and Keswick so wherever your Peter Rabbit journey takes you in 2022 you won’t be far from a Peter Rabbit and Friends Shop.