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Hill Top is a time capsule of this amazing woman's life. Full of her favourite things, the house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to a picture in a 'Tale'. Beatrix used Hill Top and its surroundings as inspiration for many of her 'little books' - you'll recognise the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck laid her egg and the garden where Tom Kitten and his sisters played!
Hill Top is a small house with a timed entry system in place to avoid overcrowding and to protect the fragile interior. It can get very busy and visitors may sometimes have to wait to enter the house. Early sell-outs are possible, especially during school holidays. We recommend visiting at the weekends if you can. Closed Fridays for conservation work.
Garden
Beatrix Potter's lovely, traditional cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. You'll recognise the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck laid her egg, and the garden where Tom Kitten and his sisters played.
Entry to the Garden is free during opening times.
Shop
In Hill Top shop you'll find a great range of Beatrix Potter soft toys, books and other lovely gifts which delight our visitors young and old alike. Discover all your favourite characters in Hill Top shop - Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Mrs Tiggywinkle, Benjamin Bunny, Tom Kitten, Jeremy Fisher and more, plus exclusive items for you to collect.
Limited car parking. No coach parking. Please ask for accessible parking space. Level access to ground floor, many steps to first floor rooms. Dim light, especially on overcast days.
Groups by advanced booking please, tel: 015394 36269 or email: hilltop.groups@nationaltrust.org.uk
* Please see the National Trust website for the most recent up to date opening times as they are subject to change.
Adults £12, child £6, family £30. National Trust members free. Prices include a voluntary 10% donation but visitors can choose to pay standard price admission.
No discount to Hill Top for groups.
By Bus: Bus is probably one of the easiest ways to get to Hill Top. There is also a regular service (505) from Coniston, or Ambleside, with some buses going on to Windermere. If you are coming from Windermere or Bowness you can cruise or catch the Ferry across the Lake then the seasonal bus link (from the beginning of April through to the end of October) between Ferry House and Hill Top. By Boat: The Windermere ferry between Bowness and Ferry House offers a low-cost, frequent and scenic link to Hill Top for visitors based in the Bowness and Windermere area. The footpath from Ferry House to Hill Top is comprehensively signed. The Cross Lakes Experience provides a package via Windermere Lake Cruises from Bowness to Hill Top using boat and bus.By Bike: Hill Top is a short and relatively quiet ride down country lanes from Hawkshead, where cycle hire is available from the village post office or via bridleways from Ferry house.There are cycle parking racks near the visitor ticket office.On Foot: There are numerous footpaths and bridleways in the vicinity for you to explore including a direct off-road link from Ferry House.By Car: B5286 and B5285 from Ambleside, 6 miles, B5285 from Coniston, 7 miles. The roads are narrow and can be very busy, please allow extra time to park during peak times.Accessible by Public Transport: Windermere station is 5 miles away.
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