Day Five - The Lake District

We came into the Lake District in the dark so the beauty out of our B & B windows was a total surprise. To say the Lake District is gorgeous almost doesn't do it justice. We had our full English breakfast (How do the English eat all this every morning?)and feeling very full, we drove to Keswick.

The View From Our B&B

Keswick is a super cute town that any outdoor lover would feel at home in. There are outdoor equipment stores on every street. Janet was searching for an i-pad charger cord as hers disappeared the moment we left London. (That is why our blogging has been so sporadic. She not only left without a cord but also with a low battery.) But no luck.

Beatrix Potter Gallery Housed In Her Husband's Old Law Office

Our first stop today is the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead. Housed in her husbands law office, the gallery displays many of her original artwork from the twenty-three children's books she wrote. They were amazing. If you have read any of her books about Benjamin Bunny and his friends, you know the books are sized for young children. They are maybe 6" x 4". Her illustrations were that size too. When you look at the detail she puts in those watercolor paintings, you really come t appreciate what a talented artist she truly was.

One Of The Enchanting Paintings Of Beatrix Potter

The Path To Hill Top

Our next stop was Hill Top, her home before she married. As we arrived we were told the small parking lot was full. We were told the next town down the road would allow us to park in their town hall parking lot for a small donation. To Near Sawry we went. We pull in the lot and set off. We found a small footpath with a little help from passerbys. The path us took thorough the small town, one small store and several houses, and then through a farmer's field. He was cutting his hay as we walked through. It was absolutely beautiful. We are so happy the parking lot was full!

Our View On The Path

It was here she wrote most of her books. Once she married, she moved up the street but she never sold Hill Top. When she donated Hill Top to the National Trust, they kept her home exactly as she left it. It was charming. As you looked at the house and it's setting, you could trace her inspirations for her books. If you are a fan, as we are, it was a real treat!

Beatrix Potter's Hill Top