Beatrix Potter's Viewpoints

Stand in the footprints of the best-selling Cat Bells author and illustrator and see the views that inspired her drawings

1. Lucie in Newlands 2. Mrs Tiggy-winkle on Cat Bells

3. Brandelhow Barn

5. Skiddaw from Cat Bells terrace

4. Squirrels rafting to 6. Beatrix sketching on Owl Island St Herbert’s Island 7. Keswick market

Beatrix Potter is famous for her links with Hawkshead and Near Sawrey, especially her home Hill Top. Less well known are her links to Keswick and the eleven summers she spent, between 1885 and 1907, staying 1. Lucie in Newlands on the shores of Derwent Water. from The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle Her time here was one of the major periods of artistic creativity in Location: NY232191 her life. The people and landscapes were inspirational to her and 680m (½ mile) walk from

feature in some of her earliest books: The tales of Squirrel Nutkin, Little Town car park 2002 1905, Co., & Warne © Frederick Benjamin Bunny and Mrs Tiggy-winkle, which were published SatNav: CA12 5TU between 1903 and 1905. Lucie Carr was the daughter of Beatrix later became part of the early conservation movement to the Vicar of Newlands. Beatrix save England’s open spaces, particularly in the Lake District. Her met Lucie in 1904 and the little influence and vision were so profound that the head office of the girl was fascinated by Beatrix’s National Trust is now called ‘Heelis’ in her memory (she became pet hedgehog 'Mrs Tiggy-winkle'. Mrs Heelis when she married and lived permanently at Sawrey.). The illustration shows Castle Nook Crag and Dale Head. This map will help you stand at the actual locations where ‘Once upon a time there was a little girl called Lucie, who lived Beatrix sat to make her sketches. at a farm called Little-town’. drive…an awful road. Never knew what jolting For Beatrix, sketching was a release from an was before…recommend said excursion as a cure oppressive home environment. for colic’. Journal of Beatrix Potter (transcribed Her overbearing parents disapproved of her by Leslie Linder), Aug 1885. short-lived engagement to Norman Warne, her publisher. ‘I cannot rest, I must draw, however poor the result, and when I have a bad time come over me it is a stronger desire than ever.’ Journal of Beatrix Potter (transcribed by Leslie Linder), Oct 1884.

© The Cotsen Foundation The illustration shows Skiddaw and © Frederick Warne & Co., 1905, 2002 Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance. 4. Squirrels rafting to Owl Island 6. Beatrix sketching on ‘I have seen that door into the back of the hill from The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin St Herbert’s Island called Cat Bells—and besides I am very well Location: NY255222, 380m (¼ mile) walk photograph by Rupert Potter acquainted with dear Mrs. Tiggy-winkle!’ from Lingholm car park, SatNav CA12 5TZ Location: NY252209, 970m (⅔ mile) walk The inspiration for the book came from from roadside parking at Cat Bells hairpins, visiting Derwent Island, although the SatNav CA12 5UE illustration shows St Herbert’s Island from Hardly any images exist capturing Beatrix Lingholm where she spent several summers. while she was sketching. This one appears to ‘There is a lady who lives on an island on the lake have been taken on St Herbert’s Island but who told me…when her nuts are ripe, squirrels we’ve pointed you to the lake shore so you appear on the island, but she has not seen them don’t have to leave dry land. coming. There is an American story that squirrels go down the rivers on little rafts.’ Letter to Noel Moore written at Lingholm, 26 Aug 1897.

Courtesy Frederick Warne & Co., and the National Trust

3. Brandelhow Barn photograph by Rupert Potter Location: NY250208, 800m (½ mile) walk fr om roadside parking at Cat Bells hairpins, SatNav CA12 5UE Courtesy Frederick Warne & Co., and the National Trust Beatrix’s father, Rupert Potter, was a keen amateur photographer, and they often 7. Keswick Market took camera equipment on their carriage Courtesy Frederick Warne & Co., and the National Trust from the Derwent Water Sketchbook drives. Brandelhow Park was the first land in the Lake District to be protected by the 5. Skiddaw from Cat Bells Location: NY267235, 125m walk from National Trust in 1902; Beatrix and her father from the Derwent Water Sketchbook Keswick Central car park, SatNav CA12 5DF contributed to the campaign. Location: NY248194, 340m (¼ mile) walk The hurried nature of this sketch suggests 'Went to Buttermere by Grange, Honister and south of quarry layby on Cat Bells terrace Beatrix was trying to capture the busy market back by Newlands. Extraordinary and striking path, SatNav CA12 5UG square without drawing attention to herself.

Help protect the landscape that inspired Beatrix

Donate to our Lake District Appeal by texting NTLK11 £2/£5/£10 to 70070 or visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/lakes-appeal

JustTextGiving by Vodafone. National Trust is a registered charity, no. 205846. 100% of your donation will go towards our work to fix flood damage in the North Lakes. Please obtain the bill payer’s permission. Supporter Services Centre 0344 800 1895. Every penny helps keep special places like this special.