Beatrix Potter World

I remember taking my two children, when they were really quite tiny up to Hill Top at Near Sawrey. I was slightly bemused when the very kind lady at the desk, looked at the age of my kids and sweetly advised me that they may get more out of a visit to Beatrix Potter World in Bowness on Windermere.

The exhibition is very well done, and really does bring The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter's other loved characters alive.

If you've not been before then it's worth knowing that Bowness on Windermere can get very crowded during peak holiday seasons and there are likely to be a lot of Visitors to Beatrix Potter World, especially if it is raining. When we went, we got to Beatrix Potter World as it opened at 10 am and managed to get ahead of the crowds.

A Beatrix Potter Day Out with Children

How about making a whole day of it? If you are looking for somewhere for lunch - then you could pre-book on one of the Peter Rabbit lunches - you will see the dates just over there in the right hand column - if the dates don't tally don't worry as the Tea Rooms at Beatrix Potter World are open outside of special events.

If you are also planning to travel over to Nr. Sawrey to visit Beatrix Potter's home Hill Top then the pub next door, Tower Bank Arms, has a fabulous menu and children are welcome. Do know, though, that it is very popular and unfortunately has very little parking. If there's a queue when you arrive then why not spend the time challenging your children to find Tower Bank Arms in their illustrated Beatrix Potter books (hint try the Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck!). Hill Top (situated just behind the pub) often has a children's garden trail during holiday periods.

Have you discovered Brockhole? a great lakeside venue for a family picnic. Right in the heart of Beatrix Potter's Lake District on the banks of Lake Windermere.

Brockhole was the former home of Beatrix's cousin Edith. In addition to wonderful gardens to explore and picnics in the garden, Brockhole also has a great cafe with a fabulous view. It is incredibly child friendly and often runs special events - oh and there's an adventure playground for the kids too!

Walks for Children in the Lake District - Easy Beatrix Potter Walk and Picnic

Tarn Hows is an easy walk for children, in the Lake District, an ideal place for a picnic and even has a link with Beatrix Potter.

Although you are unlikely to have Tarn Hows to yourself, as it is hugely popular, however there is more than enough room for everyone and the buggy-friendly pathway around the tarn makes this an easy walk for toddlers and accessible to those needing the help of wheels.

Besides the splendid views and ducks to entertain your children on the way around Tarn Hows - tell them to look out for a special money tree.

Tarn Hows link to Miss Potter is that she bought the land around 1929 and left it in her will to the National Trust, for you and I to enjoy today.

Note: picnic tables aren't provided so take a picnic blanket and extra bread for the ducks!

Why not take the Ferry across Lake Windermere to Hawkshead?

If you are also planning to visit Beatrix Potter's home in Hawkshead or picnic and walk at Tarn Hows, then a fun way for the kids and to save having to drive all the way around (albeit through beautiful scenery...), would be to use the Windermere Ferry.

There is often a queue to get across, but you can get out for a potter, once your car is in line and dip your toes in the Lake, whilst you are waiting for the ferry, or if you are like me then you may just want to enjoy the scenery and indulge in an ice cream!