What's coming up next?

Our programme for things going on in September across the property.


You'd think things might calm down a bit at the end of the school holidays, wouldn't you? Not a bit of it. We've now shifted into major planning gear!

Heritage Open Day - 8th Sept.
The first thing that we're planning for is Heritage Open Day next Saturday 8th September. Hill Top, The

Beatrix Potter Gallery and Wray Castle will be opening their doors for free for one day only. There's also a special but little known place, a half mile walk outside of Hawkshead that we'll be opening too - Hawkshead Courthouse. It's a 15th century monastic building, one of the few remaining outposts of Furness Abbey. You can usually only access it by collecting the key from Hawkshead shop or ticket office, but we'll be leaving it open for you to wander around for free on the 8th.



Thanks for the photos Fiona!



So you know what to expect inside

It's well worth a visit, and won't take you long to look around. There's a rough track to the entrance then about 6 or 7 steps to the door. The only way to get to it is by foot though, the most direct route being on the road. There is a nicer, more round about route which is off road - ask us in the shop or gallery as you're passing through Hawkshead and we'll direct you.

Wray CastleHot off the press - we'll be opening Wray Castle on weekends in November and December this year. Our main season closes on the 4th November, and although we'll have lots of building work going on, we thought people might like to see what's happening.

This is the sort of thing that's been going on at the Castle over the school hols (c. Arhnal de Serra)

We also had an ideas filled session to plan how we should present the Castle for Christmas. We decided on a 'Natural' Christmas theme. It was quite a task to calm down Rose, Jacq and Gill - ideas were flying everywhere! (Yes I know, I've got a Jacq and Gill in my team!) More details nearer the time.

Next years exhibitionsWe're already well into the planning for our 2013 exhibitions too. I'll not give too much away just yet, but
as a hint, we'll be celebrating a really special year in Beatrix's life.

The Great British Walk 2012Our Ranger team and Pete the Gardener (who you'll know from his blog) have been working to offer some new guided and downloadable walks to celebrate the Great British Walk festival, featuring Wray Castle and Tarn Hows. At Wray Castle too, you'll come across a huge picture frame in the grounds. This is the sort of image you can get by playing around with both it and your camera!

Stop press...Don't miss next weeks launch of 'The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit' by Emma Thompson. When Emma came up to visit the area earlier this year, we were really lucky as she read us a sneak preview of the story. It's absolutely lovely! And of course, it was being read to us by an Oscar winning actress, so that made it even more special.

That's about it for now I think. Hope you have a great week, and maybe see you on Saturday 8th!
Jo.