Making Friends with Beatrix Potter

Introduction

Everybody has heard of Beatrix Potter at least some point of their lives. Her written works have captured the imagination and hope of many children through many generations. Not so long ago, they made a movie about Peter Rabbit. Beatrix Potter lived in the Lake District and she loved it here. She took care of many animals which became her inspiration for many of her beloved characters. There’s also a drama show in the UK where Beatrix Potter meets Ronald Dahl.

I sometimes refer to this place as the Beatrix Potter museum or exhibition and that’s because it brings all of her stories to life with the small but lovely garden, models of the characters she created and many interactive tablets which goes into the origin of Beatrix Potter’s characters.

Location

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is located in the heart of Bowness-On-Windermere town centre on Crag Bow by Lake Street. There’s plenty of pubs and parking nearby. Windermere is a nice town with views of the biggest lake and highest mountains in England. It’s a long way from London, but if you are travelling up north or around the Scottish Borders, it’s worth a trip to Windermere, especially if you’re a fan of Peter Rabbit.

Exhibition

Tickets are available to purchase on the day of entry. Pre-booking is not required, and I don’t think you can prebook. The cafe and gift shop attached to the exhibition is open to all members of the public, but much easier to access if you are a ticket holder.

You are welcome to take as many pictures as you like. We got very close and personal with the models, but it’s important to take care. In busier times, I can see it getting cramped and the dim lights in some areas may cause sensory issues. It is however a lovely place to take children or adults on a nostalgia trip.

The exhibition starts with a short 5 minute video that goes on a constant loop. It’s a nice way to introduce the museum. Then after that video, you are free to explore the museum and take as long as you like. You could easily kill one or two hours here. Most of the attraction is the models and the garden. They’re really lovely.

Whilst the garden is on a smaller scale, it makes up for its small size by its grandness. It truly does make the most of the little space is has like the green house, the flower bushes and the wonderful statue. Though when I think about it, the garden isn’t that small for today’s standards as I know some people don’t have gardens. It can give you a lot of ideas of what plants to have in your own space. I really like how they have a vegetable of the week. When I was there yesterday, the vegetable of the week was chives. Chives are actually a herb, which they state but as they are edible they qualify.

Facilities

There are some great facilities. Despite Covid knocking the tourist industry down, it seems to be standing tall. Much of the area still looks the same. The attraction has good access for people with disabilities and trouble with stairs. On the day of our visit, we saw a lady with two guide dogs in training.

The gift shop is pleasant. Whilst I didn’t buy anything there, by Aunt Dawj did. She said she found stuff there that was cheaper than Beatrix Potter products sold in other shops. Beatrix Potter’s entire bibliography can be purchased at the gift shop. What made it stand out to other gift shops was that I noticed it was selling some bamboo products like lunchboxes.

The cafe is small, but sufficient. I didn’t eat in the cafe, but having a look at their menus, their prices looked reasonable and there were vegan, vegetarian and gluten free choices. I had a nice pot of green tea down there. A lot of the shops here enjoy using twinnings tea.

Conclusion

I think it’s a great place to take families and also an excellent resource for authors in search of inspiration. I had an idea floating in my head for a while to write a story where the British Prime Minister is a bulldog called Patience. I think I can start it know I have some foundation.