The World Of Beatrix Potter

Can you imagine your childhood fantasy land come back to life with wonderful creatures like Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Benjamin Bunny, Hunca Munca, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Mr. Tod, or Flopsey, Mopsey, and Cottaintail? Now in Windermere, England everyone can indulge the desire to experience the world of Beatrix Potter's animals. Since 1902 Beatrix Potter's tales have enchanted children with their sweet simplicity. On a past trip to the Lake District I stopped in Windermere which is a charming little town amidst the beautiful lakes of northern England. During the Victorian times it was a popular retreat for Londoners. Amidst the woods and lakes Londoners could find an England of the past where most locals farmed and lived quiet lives. As a child, Beatrix Potter looked forward to each summer where she could retreat to the woods and find her special friend, Peter Rabbit and many others. Throughout her life she remembered the Lake District and eventually made it her home. Today in Windermere the Beatrix Potter museum created a world for all children as well as the young at heart to enjoy the creations of Beatrix Potter's imagination!

Once Beatrix achieved financial success away from her parents she moved up to the Lake District away from the London's congestion. Many Londoners loved the Lake District's peace and tranquility. It was here that Beatrix could indulge her love of nature and the animals who inhabited her woods. When looking back Beatrix may not be the modern woman's ideal of feminism, but for her time she was forthright and audacious. She did not indulge in London's social scene rather preferring to read, paint, and study flora and fauna of nature. In many of her biographies the authors note that were she able to attend university she would have been a biology student. 

It was her first book The Tale of Peter Rabbit that changed everything. Beatrix could now live life on her own terms. After moving to Windermere and continuing to write, she bought up several farms from farmers looking to sell and created a trust for the land. After her death the land went to the British National Trust with the clause that it could never be developed land. Beatrix Potter besides a talented children's book author and illustrator was also one of the first land conservationists. Her own farm Hilltop farm is still open to the public during the spring season.

Throughout the museum you walk down a lane and find different friends along the way. First the baby rabbit patch, then Peter Rabbit and his sisters, Flopsey, Mopsey, and Cottaintail. Mean Farmer MacGregor even has an exhibit. Jemima Puddleduck crosses your path, while Mr. Tod strolls along and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle cleans her kitchen. Tom Kitten is dressed and cleaned by his mother while Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca prepare their house. The frogs leap from lily pad to pond and the squirrels cross the lake on their makeshift boats while their tails become sails.

Beatrix Potter was a remarkable woman who wrote wonderful stories of woodland creatures, drew beautiful illustrations for her stories, and then single handedly donated close to 4,000 acres to the British National Land Trust. Reading her books is a joy but visiting this world is a joy that makes the child in you want to jump and giggle seeing all the animals you loved come to life. To enjoy the talent of Beatrix Potter's pen and imagination is the least we can all do. But thanks is due to the wonderful English lady Beatrix Potter, author, illustrator, and conservationist. Her world of woodland creatures is mesmerizing! You'll not regret making the visit.