Beatrix wrote many of her famous children's stories in this little 17th century stone house. Characters such as Tom Kitten, Samuel Whiskers and Jemima Puddleduck were all created here, and the books contain many pictures based on the house and garden. Beatrix bought many pieces of land and property in and around Sawrey, including the Old Post Office, Castle Cottage and a number of small farms. In 1913, aged 47, she married William Heelis in London and moved to Lakeland, living at Castle Cottage which was bigger and more convenient than Hill Top. There is a good example of traditional cottage garden, containing mainly old-fashioned flowers such as honeysuckle, foxgloves, sweet cicely, lupins, peonies, lavender and philadelphus.
Roses grow ground the front door.
The Tower Bank Arms may be seen in 'The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck' . Hill Top is still as it was then, and is now the most visited literary shrine in the Lake District. There is a National Trust car park about 100 yards north of the Tower Bank Arms. See National Trust handbook entry . See map of the area .