Winter Fashion

Hill Top Farm in winter

Beatrix Potter had spent most of her life in London, visiting the countryside for spring and summer holidays.  However, once she bought Hill Top Farm, she faced the snow, ice and rain of winter with her usual determination.
She wore skirts and jackets made from Herdwick wool and would visit her tenants with an old sack over her shoulders to keep out the rain.  No walking boots or wellies; clogs would be the standard footwear. 

Clogs by the spinning wheel at Hill Top

Cath, centre, wearing long skirt and jacket of Herdwick wool helping to plant the Beatrix Potter rose (not in winter!)

There are tales of her helping to dig sheep out from snow drifts.  Herdwick sheep have been known to survive for weeks buried in drifts, nibbling their own fleeces for nourishment.   These are luckier.

Winter snack bar

Cattle aren't brought in to keep them nice and warm; as ruminants sheep and cattle have their own built in central heating provided by their digestive system. However, trampling hooves on wet  ground soon reduce it  to a muddy mess which won't grow grass for a long time. 

Breakfast cereal? (mentioning no names)

  Edwardian farm wear was based on natural fibres and women would wear long skirts.

From BBC Edwardian Farm series - more pics on their website

Now farmers have a wide choice of materials designed to keep out wind, rain and snow. 

What the well-dressed farmer  wears to work

And National Trust Rangers bob around the countryside like winter robins.

Paul models Ranger gear

Even dogs have their own walking boots!

Sam modelling boot on sore paw whilst waiting for a walk

In between Beatrix's time and the present, I can remember Lake District walks meant sensible shoes and plastic macs and have fond (?) memories of students wearing clogs clattering along the corridor on their way to early morning practicals at agricultural college.  It wasn't that long ago!
 

Love is in the air (cue for a song) at Hill Top!

 After clearing Hill Top car park and paths of snow, there was a welcome respite for staff and visitors last Saturday (23^rd March).

Daniel Winter had contacted us a few weeks beforehand to tell us that he was planning to bring his girlfriend, Helen Mint, to Hill Top to propose to her. He told us that Helen has been a lifelong enthusiast for Beatrix Potter and her work, so proposing in Beatrix’s house would make the event even more special for the two of them.

The very snowy day dawned, and we were a little concerned that the couple would be able to get here as several of the local roads were tricky to get through. But get through they did, and we were delighted to hear that Helen said yes!

So here are the happy couple (in a very rare photo taken inside Hill Top – but we thought this special occasion deserved it!).

Congratulations to you both and best wishes for the future from the whole Hill Top team!

This is the second proposal we’ve had at Hill Top this year, and both have been perfectly timed to match the centenary of Beatrix’s own wedding to William Heelis in 1913 – the photo below shows Beatrix and William on the day before their wedding, taken by Beatrix’s father, Rupert.

Whilst some of us were keeping the home fires burning at Hill Top and The Beatrix Potter Gallery, the other half of our team was opening Wray Castle. The portcullis was raised for the first time to visitors on the 23^rd March, although the weather and snow seemed to be conspiring against us.



Snowy steps for opening day!



  

Just a few more photos of the team getting everything ready.



 

Lottie, Christina and Corrin giving the staircase a final polish



Jamie hoovering - Rose made us all wear the delightful blue overshoes!





Rangers caught having a breather whist installing the Outdoor Room - just don't tell John A!



And in case you think I was joking about the snow and some of the local roads, here are a few photos taken by Mandy, one of our Visitor Experience Assts – you’ll most likely see her in the Ticket Office at Hill Top, Beatrix Potter Gallery or Wray Castle. (When it's not snowing!)



If this isn't a good reason for not being able to get into work, I don't know what is!



Come and see us soon!
But all the snow has now gone, all roads and paths are clear - just wrap up warm and come and see us! And if you've got room for another Easter Egg, we've got trails at Hill Top, The Beatrix Potter Gallery and Wray Castle happening on Easter Sunday and Monday.





Probably the best view in the Lake District?

Winter has well and truly arrived this week, which is bad news for our roofers and my cold toes, but good news for getting amazing photos of the Lake District. Wray Castle has some fantastic views of the high fells, which now look even more dramatic with a covering of snow.

On Sunday the sun was shining and the snow was visible on the highest tops- on the photo below you can just see Bowfell in the background with a good covering of snow.



The Langdale Pikes and Bowfell (with snow).

 After wall to wall sunshine at the weekend, Monday arrived and there was even more snow. Our contractors at the Castle turned up on site very early and took these atmospheric photos of the early morning fog still hanging in the valleys.



The Langdale Pikes just visible through the fog.

The Fairfield Horseshoe looking very foreboding.

You also get some great sunrises and sunsets in the snowy wintry conditions. This photo of the gorgeous sunrise on Thursday was taken at the back (south) side of the castle, looking down Lake Windermere towards Bowness.


Winter sunrise.


Another photo from Thursday shows the castle in the middle of a snow storm. I am not sure much work was done on Thursday but at least our contractors had a good time taking photos and admiring the view!




The Grand Porte-cochere of Wray Castle, complete with scaffold and snow!

 After a couple of hours of snow on Thursday morning, it soon turned to rain and all the snow has gone now, apart from on the tops. Today was another sunny day and a chance for one of our friendly Robins to enjoy the views from our picnic terrace.




Robin enjoying some winter sun with a view!



The Fairfield Horseshoe, Lake Windermere and Ambleside.


Is this the best view in the Lake District? Why not come and judge for yourself?

To see more photos visit our facebook page, where you can post your own Wray Castle photos as well.

Snow, snow - quick quick snow!

One day to go before the Beatrix Potter Gallery throws open its doors to the public, to show off its newly refreshed interior, and of course there has been loads to do.

Then it snowed

With such a tight deadline until we open, were we worried? of course not .... until the snow arrived last Saturday, making the Lake District a beautiful playground but not ideal for getting deliveries.  It also curtailed the second of the volunteer training days as folks rushed off at lunchtime to beat the ever-thickening snowfall.

Snow fell in Hawkshead last weekend but it won't stop us opening this Saturday!

Volunteer Training
In the volunteer training days a week ago, the volunteers who will be helping to bring the gallery to life, had their first chance to see the gallery with its new look. Unfortunately life never being simple, work was not yet complete and we were still awaiting some information boards and display cabinets.  What they could see though everyone seemed very impressed with, and they left looking forward to Saturday's opening.

Ready to go
Since then the staff have pulled out all the stops, had a few late nights, and with the snow melted and/or cleared  we're ready to go (and hopefully we won't get more snow for the opening!)

post by Paul K
photo credit veryhappyhacks on Flickr.com