Hill Top

CLAIFE B5285 (South side) SD 39 NE Near Sawrey 6/49 Hill Top 25.3.70 GV II*

House, now museum, with farmhouse attached. C17 or early C18 with mid to late C18 alterations and 1906 addition for Beatrix Potter. Roughcast stone with slate roof. 2 storeys, 4 bays, the 1st bay projects under gable with pentice over ground floor and datestone reading: "1906/HBP". Windows are sashed with glazing bars, those to 1st bay and 1st floor of 2nd bay have horns. Plain entrance to 1st bay; entrance to 3rd bay has gabled slate slab porch and 6-fielded-panel door. Cross-axial stack and gable-end stack. Right return has small casement window. Rear has projecting stair wing with gabled projecting wing to right. Stair window has wooden cross-casement with leaded glazing tied back to iron bars. Gable-end stack to stair wing. Interior: Hall has panelling and fielded-panelled cupboard doors. Fireplace has C19 range. Parlour has C18 panelling with fluted flat pilasters and bed cupboard and pantry. Early C19 white and coloured marble fireplace. Staircase has column balusters, fluted square newels and ramped handrail. 1st floor has wide-board door; fireplace inscribed: "WHB/1934", C17 stone fireplace. C17 back stair. Hill Top was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1906 and was used by her as an occasional retreat and for her writing. She illustrated the house in many of her books, principally 'The Tale of Tom Kitten', 1907, 'The Tale of Samuel Whiskers', 1908, and 'The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck', 1908. She left the farm to The National Trust.

Listing NGR: SD3700995563