Some quick sketches from Hill Top
On a lovely summer day, we took the ferry across Windermere to visit Beatrix Potter’s House Hill Top.
Beatrix Potter was a woman ahead of her time, creating an illustration style that many still continue to use as a premise for their work today. However, her honed skill and high level of craft is at the core of what continues to make her work stand out from all other illustrators.
While visiting the north of England I was keen to explore her inspiration and environment that was so fundamental to her practice.
When entering Beatrix Potter’s treasured house, Hill Top, it becomes instantly apparent how this space nurtured her creativity as well as inspiration for her subject matter. It was here in the heart of the English Lake District she immersed herself in the beauty of the English countryside, nurturing her love of gardens, landscapes, and wildlife.
What many people don’t realise is that the house was in fact a very elaborate studio as opposed to a place of residence. The house was used as a place to work; a generous studio space devoted to her practice and creative endeavors. Here she created many of her stories, and scenes from her illustrations can be found throughout the building. Witnessing the thriving National Trust property, it was moving to see how a Victorian woman’s illustrations continue to attract tourists from around the globe. Meanwhile, her legacy continues to preserve one of the most unique and breathtaking parts of the English countryside. The peace and landscape around it provides a peace that is unique to this part of the country, so much so that you quite instantly begin to feel your mind relaxing and provides an opportunity to hear your own thoughts.
Some quick sketches from Hill Top Garden
As a young person, I was raised on a small holding facing the Lake District mountains in an unconventional cottage that was a constant source of inspiration. My Grandad, who had lived in a (slightly) more conventional building spent an afternoon in my dad’s favourite armchair. Listening to the swallows nesting in the eves, the breeze whistling over the chimney, the pets pottering around the house and likely the occasional shrew wandering past his toes; he affectionally described the house as ‘alive’. I know that this remote location provided a challenging environment as a young person but it also provided an infinite source of inspiration.
Studio envy aside and although Beatrix Potter grew up in London, for the first time in a very long time, I felt a connection with the landscape in a way I hadn’t for some time. This refreshing and emotive visit reminded me about how natural my practice is to me, how integral my country upbringing has been and the importance both of these things have in my daily life. I hope to always be making art, always challenging myself to new projects and always trying to ensure integrity in my illustrations.
Me and my partner are National Trust members and would highly recommend it as a relatively affordable membership with a large number of days out available and allows access to free parking.