Near Sawrey

(See also Beatrix Potter and Hill Top)

Snuggled in the rolling farmland and wooded hillsides by lake Windermere, the conservation village of Near Sawrey is indelibly associated with Beatrix Potter, who lived at Hilltop in the village.

She first arrived in 1896 when her parents rented a village house (Ees Wyke). She thought Near Sawrey as near perfect a little place as I ever lived in.

Beatrix Potter used many of the village buildings and scene in her books. To name a few: 17^th century Bucklet Yeat cottage had a place in Tale of Tom Kitten and The Pie and the Patty Pan. Low Green Gate cottage was also used in The Pie and the Patty Pan. The Tower Bank Arms played a part in The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck.

Castle Cottage was Beatrix Potters home when she was married in 1913 until she died in 1943. When she lived here, the village amenities consisted of a shop, confectioner's shop, smithy, carpenter, timber merchant and post office. There were five working farms, including hers in the immediate vicinity.

In 1336 Near Sawrey was named Sourer; in 1535 its name was Sawrayes, the muddy place. It changed in 1656 to Narr Sawrey before becoming the village we know as Near Sawrey. Whatever its name, it is now and forever synonymous with that of Beatrix Potter.

Location Map of Near Sawrey
Near Sawrey is on the B5285 across the lake from Bowness-on-Windermere by ferry.

Photos courtesy of Graeme Dougal

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