Another famous literary figure associated with the Lake District is Beatrix Potter. Beatrix first visited the Lakes in 1882 with her parents and spent a number of family holidays there during her childhood. Beatrix liked to make up stories and illustrate them and it was this interest that first produced stories involving Peter Rabbit. She was encouraged to try and get the stories published and she was rejected by several publishers until she was accepted by Frederick Warne and "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was published in 1902.

In 1905 Beatrix purchased Hill Top - a small farm in Sawrey where she lived and wrote many of her stories - and in 1909 she purchased another farm - Castle Farm - opposite Hill Top. In 1913 she married a solicitor, William Heelis and continued to write stories until about 1920. During her later years Beatrix was an active farmer and breeder and a great supporter of the National Trust until her death in 1943.

There are many locations associated with Beatrix in the Lake district; please follow these links for further information:

www.hop-skip-jump.com

www.beatrixpottersociety.org.uk

www.cumbria-calling.com/nt/hill-top.htm

www.visitcumbria.com/bpotter.htm