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On our last full day in the Lake District we walked from Ambleside to Wray Castle, where Beatrix Potter and her family vacationed in the summer of 1882.
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Wray Castle is a very new castle, considering it was built in 1840. The owner/builder was a surgeon from Liverpool who built it using his wife's fortune.
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The current exhibit at the castle features photographs taken by Rupert Potter during his stay.
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Potter family
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Detail of Beatrix, age 16. I love her coy expression.
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Once we were done at Wray Castle, we hiked to the top of Latterbarrow, where you can get a nice 360 view of the surrounding countryside.
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We rested at the top and had a snack. There was a long way to go before reaching Hill Top.
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The scenery was sublime! It seemed I could not take a bad photograph in the Lake District. (Unless it was a selfie.)
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We rarely crossed paths with a human but encountered plenty of birds and grazing animals.
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Getting closer now and stepping up our pace -- Steve is hoping we don't miss the window for our ticket!
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The path to Hill Top -- Our timing was just fine, and all the staff members were very gracious.
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Inside Hill Top -- maybe the Entrance Hall? It's a very cosy house. Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top and its 34 acre farm in 1905.
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Porcelain display in the Parlor
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The Parlor
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Beatrix's treasures
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A small desk in the parlor.
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Those touring the house were allowed to sit in the window seats and read a story by Potter.
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The New Room. Beatrix added an extension and called this room the Library. The paintings were done by her brother Walter.
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New Room, featuring *The Writing Desk*
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The bedroom. The only one in the house, or perhaps the only one on show. I did get the impression that this house was NOT for entertaining. It was a private getaway, and Beatrix had a grander house elsewhere for entertaining--Castle Cottage.
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More details on that gorgeous quilt. Also, this is how we learned of the exhibit at the V&A!
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Going out into the garden
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View of the House from the garden
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So much color to enjoy!
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Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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Young Beatrix looking very serious.
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Prickly Hedgehog. (I do love a hedgehog!) And how delightful to see several examples of original work in this exhibit.
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Place as inspiration
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After the exhibit we enjoyed a snack in the Gamble Room, “the world’s first museum cafe,” according to the V&A.
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The book that accompanies the exhibit is available to purchase at Amazon! I find that rather bizarre, but how nice for all those who can't see the exhibit in person.
