There is no closer address in the Lake District to a Beatrix Potter story than this one. The Tower Bank Arms stands next door to Hill Top, it is drawn in The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, and it is owned today by the National Trust as part of the estate she left them. If you have booked a room here you are sleeping in an illustration, which is a rare thing to be able to say.
Quick Facts
Turn to the page in Jemima Puddle-Duck where the farmyard opens out and the building behind is this one — porch, windows, chimneys, near enough unaltered. Beatrix Potter drew what was in front of her rather than what she imagined, which is precisely why this village rewards walking round with the books in mind. She later owned the pub as part of the Hill Top estate, and left it to the National Trust with everything else.
It is still a working village pub rather than a museum piece, which is the best possible outcome.
Being this close changes how you can do it. Hill Top runs timed entry and sells out through the season, so book ahead — but staying here means you can take an early slot, then be back for breakfast before the day visitors have parked. Afterwards, walk the village slowly. The gate in Tom Kitten, the shop in Ginger and Pickles, the lanes throughout: they are all here, and mostly unchanged.
Hawkshead, two miles off, holds the Beatrix Potter Gallery in her husband's former solicitor's offices and the grammar school where Wordsworth was educated. Esthwaite Water lies between the two, quiet and full of wildlife. And Grizedale Forest south of Hawkshead has waymarked trails and an outdoor sculpture collection that works well on a wet day.
You are on the quiet side of Windermere, which is lovely and slightly awkward — the roads are narrow and the ferry queues in August. Our tours carry seven guests at most; private days collect at the door and save the crossing entirely.
The grand sweep: ten lakes, the high passes between them, and an Ullswater Steamers cruise exclusive to this tour. If a celebration stay deserves one great day out, this is it.
See dates & bookCollected at the door, your party only, the day shaped to you — literary landscapes, hidden valleys, or simply the most beautiful roads we know. Well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard in our vehicle crates.
Enquire about a private dayDove Cottage at Grasmere — entry included as standard — and the valleys that made the poems, with Dora's Field carpeted gold in daffodil season. The right literary day for this most Georgian of addresses.
See dates & bookAcross the lake to Hill Top and Near Sawrey, with our illustration-matching walk through the village lanes — back for a long lakeside lunch.
See dates & bookThe afternoon version crosses the lake by boat rather than by road — worth choosing if you'd like the crossing itself to be part of the day.
See dates & bookA slow hall morning, then eight lakes and their valleys at a seven-seat pace — the most civilised way to spend a Lakeland afternoon.
See dates & bookThe same eight lakes as the afternoon tour, run the opposite way round in the morning — ideal if you'd rather keep your afternoon free for the lawns.
See dates & bookA full literary day east to Haworth — the Parsonage, the cobbled village, and the moors that gave Wuthering Heights its weather, newly magnetic with the recent film. Oxenholme pickup available.
See dates & bookInto the Dales for Grassington's "Darrowby", the Wensleydale Creamery, Kilnsey Crag and Bolton Abbey — filming locations brought to life around you with live scene technology.
See dates & bookFrom this side of the water a private day removes both irritations — the ferry queue and the narrow roads. We collect at the door and shape the route around your party. Well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard, travelling safely in our vehicle crates.
Not sure which route suits your plans, or want a day built entirely from scratch — a family reunion, a wedding anniversary, scattering ashes somewhere that mattered? Tell us what you have in mind and we'll design a day around it — see our guide to celebrating a special occasion for ideas, or get in touch directly.
Yes — it is drawn in The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, and the building is substantially unchanged. Beatrix Potter later owned it as part of the Hill Top estate.
Next door. You can see it from the pub.
Ambleside library, Windermere station and Bowness Pier 1, all reached more quickly via the Far Sawrey car ferry. Private tours can usually collect at the door.
Yes — entry is timed and limited, and it sells out through the season. Staying next door means you can take an early slot.
We are an independent local tour operator. This guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Tower Bank Arms.