Beatrix Potter - Mrs Heelis
Beatrix Potter purchased Hill Top in 1905
a small farm, from the royalties of her first book The Tale of Peter Rabbit and a small inheritanceBack then this was quite radical - a city girl commuting from London striving for independence and country way of life.
Situated directly next door to a farm, the agricultural setting fuelled imagination for further story tales. It also forged the mindset to preserve and protect such holdings and landscape for future generations.
Beatrix continued to buy parcels of land and small farms throughout the Lake District, with the assistance of William Heelis, a solicitor and land agent who she later married.
Castle Cottage just across the fields in Near Sawrey became the marital home of Heelis whilst Hill Top remained significant operating as Beatrix’s HQ. The workplace where majority of her rural life would be spent and estate operations managed. Beatrix continued to acquire farming knowledge from her local shepherds ~ after all they knew best.
Mrs Heelis enlisted the help of shepherd Tom Storey to concentrate on breeding Herdwick Sheep at Hill Top, a process of patience, passion and careful selection that would win prizes & trophies at local shows.
Mrs Heelis recognised Herdwicks were fundamental to the Lake District landscape. Her passion and dedication were rewarded when she was voted President of the Herdwick Breeders Association, regrettably she never made this next chapter.
Beatrix Potter & Sheepdog "Kep"
Image provided by and used with kind permission of the National Trust
© National Trust / Robert Thrift
The life of Beatrix Potter concluded with a vision of preservation incorporating the Lake District’s landscape, local people, tradition and flocks ~ 4000 acres of land and fourteen farms bequeathed to the National Trust.
Latterly, 2017 World Heritage inscription has further embedded the conservation of the Lake District.
