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At Home with Beatrix Potter: The Creator of Peter Rabbit
The creator of Peter Rabbit, Samuel Whiskers, and Jemima Puddle-Duck, Beatrix Potter (18661942) is one of the best-loved children's book authors of all time. Yet few in America are aware of the role she played in protecting some of England's most beautiful landscapes and in designing romantic interiors and a lovely garden at Hill Top, her beloved Lake District farmhouse.
Taking the reader through her picturesque house and the breathtaking scenery around it that inspired many of her famous stories, this charming book is the first to look at the intimate connection between the English countryside and Potter's work. Her own exquisite sketches and watercolors, as well as personal ephemera, appear alongside specially commissioned full-color photographs, revealing a home filled with treasured old furniture and beautiful objects and celebrating an artist-storyteller whose legacy as a conservationist at last receives the attention it deserves.
Taking the reader through her picturesque house and the breathtaking scenery around it that inspired many of her famous stories, this charming book is the first to look at the intimate connection between the English countryside and Potter's work. Her own exquisite sketches and watercolors, as well as personal ephemera, appear alongside specially commissioned full-color photographs, revealing a home filled with treasured old furniture and beautiful objects and celebrating an artist-storyteller whose legacy as a conservationist at last receives the attention it deserves.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 30, 2009
Any fan of Beatrix Potter's work should read this book. The author, Susan Denyer, worked for the National Trust and was involved in the restoration of the interior of Potter's Hill Top Farm house. She also set up the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead. Denyer knew what she was writing about when she put this book about Beatrix Potter's beloved Hill Top Farm together. And what a lovely book it is.
Filled with gorgeous photographs and artwork this book takes the reader on a very detailed tour of Hill Top Farm and surrounding areas. In addition to the very intimate look at the interior of the home the reader is also taken on a tour of the gardens and learns about some of the many other properties that Potter purchased in the Lake District. Beatrix Potter spent years of her life working to preserve and protect the landscape of the Lake District. Throughout the book you also see and learn about many of the farms, buildings and rooms that were the inspiration for many of Beatrix Potter's drawings and stories.
Just a beautiful and interesting book. Makes me eager for the day I will be able to visit Hill Top Farm and the Lake District myself.
Filled with gorgeous photographs and artwork this book takes the reader on a very detailed tour of Hill Top Farm and surrounding areas. In addition to the very intimate look at the interior of the home the reader is also taken on a tour of the gardens and learns about some of the many other properties that Potter purchased in the Lake District. Beatrix Potter spent years of her life working to preserve and protect the landscape of the Lake District. Throughout the book you also see and learn about many of the farms, buildings and rooms that were the inspiration for many of Beatrix Potter's drawings and stories.
Just a beautiful and interesting book. Makes me eager for the day I will be able to visit Hill Top Farm and the Lake District myself.
February 17, 2021
This small book is perfect for the times we live. Now that we are stuck in our own homes and start to dream with simpler times, what could be better than to “visit” the house that inspired the backgrounds for many of our childhood stories?
Hill Top is not the house where Beatrix Potter lived but it was here that she received people and worked. This was her work in progress during her life and now it’s clearly the place where her memory and her stories are preserved.
Susan Denyer's book is heavily illustrated with Beatrix drawings and many photos of the rooms and the garden of this magical place.
It is simply a joy of a book and an absolute recommendation to everyone that has even a remote interest in Potter’s book or in english countryside and cottages.
Hill Top is not the house where Beatrix Potter lived but it was here that she received people and worked. This was her work in progress during her life and now it’s clearly the place where her memory and her stories are preserved.
Susan Denyer's book is heavily illustrated with Beatrix drawings and many photos of the rooms and the garden of this magical place.
It is simply a joy of a book and an absolute recommendation to everyone that has even a remote interest in Potter’s book or in english countryside and cottages.
May 15, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Having just read “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life” and enjoying the tone and pace, I thought I might enjoy exploring the home of Beatrix Potter. I definitely preferred the gardening book but there was still much to enjoy in this one.
First of all, I really liked the writing in this book and felt that the author wrote carefully and eloquently. The sections of the book successfully guided the reader through the house and felt much like a tour of Potter’s home. The descriptions of the various rooms of the house, the furniture, curios, works of art, and other noteworthy items painted a picture of how Potter outfitted her home with the utmost care to make it a reflection of herself. I enjoyed the tour of her home through the written descriptions and the inclusion of some beautiful photographs.
The tone of the book was similar to the gardening one, it is rather slow and descriptive. I would only recommend it to readers with particular interest in house interiors, antiques, or Beatrix Potter. The book offers a look at life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, for those interested in that time period.
There is a good amount of personal biography in this book and the reader is able to get a sense of who Beatrix Potter was, and how her character developed over the course of her lifetime. I found her to be a bold and passionate individual, and particularly as a woman of her time, to be strong and willful. I appreciated how she asserted herself as a leader in her community and the reach she had to connect with local and large government heads. Until the end of her life, she was involved in many local and national causes and she played an important role in the conservation of the Lake District. I got the sense that despite being quite a traditionalist, she was ahead of her time in terms of her care for the environment and efforts to protect the natural aspects of the region.
I was sad to finish this one because it was such a pleasure to read every morning with my coffee. It was just so pleasant and lovely and I am often looking for books just like this.
First of all, I really liked the writing in this book and felt that the author wrote carefully and eloquently. The sections of the book successfully guided the reader through the house and felt much like a tour of Potter’s home. The descriptions of the various rooms of the house, the furniture, curios, works of art, and other noteworthy items painted a picture of how Potter outfitted her home with the utmost care to make it a reflection of herself. I enjoyed the tour of her home through the written descriptions and the inclusion of some beautiful photographs.
The tone of the book was similar to the gardening one, it is rather slow and descriptive. I would only recommend it to readers with particular interest in house interiors, antiques, or Beatrix Potter. The book offers a look at life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, for those interested in that time period.
There is a good amount of personal biography in this book and the reader is able to get a sense of who Beatrix Potter was, and how her character developed over the course of her lifetime. I found her to be a bold and passionate individual, and particularly as a woman of her time, to be strong and willful. I appreciated how she asserted herself as a leader in her community and the reach she had to connect with local and large government heads. Until the end of her life, she was involved in many local and national causes and she played an important role in the conservation of the Lake District. I got the sense that despite being quite a traditionalist, she was ahead of her time in terms of her care for the environment and efforts to protect the natural aspects of the region.
I was sad to finish this one because it was such a pleasure to read every morning with my coffee. It was just so pleasant and lovely and I am often looking for books just like this.
February 3, 2018
This biography of Beatrix Potter was both beautiful and informative. I have wanted to read this book for a very long time- to the point I was afraid to read it. Beatrix Potter was, and remains, one of the heroines of my life. An artist turned farmer turned conservationist, her "short, plump, and solid" self echoes throughout every page. I have avoided reading articles on the internet about Beatrix Potter, all so I could read this book, and I was utterly rewarded. I will think of her when I am puttering about, when I tend my plants, and dream of having my own farm.
April 15, 2021
This gorgeous book examines the landscapes and interiors that shaped Beatrix Potter's aesthetics and stories. I loved seeing for certain buildings and pieces of furniture showed up in her illustrations. This book also covers a little bit of her life as a lake district farmer, landowner, and advocate and is full of photographs, reproductions of her illustrations, and facsimiles of letters. A delight for any Potter fan.
March 8, 2022
This is a delightful book with wonderful historic photographs of Miss Potter's history, current photos of the various sites in recent times, and illustrations from Miss Potter's work. The most interesting part for me was seeing how places in her life ended up as places in her books, inhabited by her charming characters! A lovely way to spend several quiet afternoons was with a cup of tea and this book.
July 16, 2018
Lovely book and a quick read. I normally would not have selected this book but found it through a reading list for a trip I am taking with Road Scholar. The pictures are well done and accompanying text interesting. Beatrix Potter had a keen mind, strong will, and generous heart which she used to benefit the farming community in the Lake District.
September 26, 2018
If you are a fan of Beatrix Potter and her works, or if you are planning a trip to Hill Top and the Lake District, this is the book for you. Beautiful photos and artwork, filled with facts--both well-known and seemingly obscure--about her life. A quick read, or just page through it. I really enjoyed this, and it was helpful for trip planning.
July 25, 2021
This book present true life style of Beatrix Potter, I was drowned by the down to earth interior, yet charming and culture-based pieces. I keep thinking how wonder this lady's work was, without shining castle and sparkling jewelleries, she turned her most simple farm life into a tale, and passed on to generations
April 18, 2018
This book looks at the life and times of Beatrix Potter, from her birth until her death in 1943. This book is full of wonderful photographs, illustrations and information. A lovely read to pass the time!
January 28, 2018
A wonderful book.
May 18, 2019
Very interesting insight into Beatrix Potter's homes
March 29, 2022
Love the bunny lady
January 16, 2025
I have generic fond memories of these books, but it was more the vibe from being read too. That being said, this was interesting
April 8, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
March 24, 2016
Ferociously detailed, liberally illustrated, this is a lovely and comprehensive guide to Beatrix Potter in the Lake District. Several chapters cover Hill Top in depth, whilst others focus on a wider perspective and discuss Potter's work in connection with Sawrey and her 'Mrs Heelis' identity as a respected local farmer.
Denyer shines in her love for subject, and particularly in discussing Hill Top itself. These chapters take us on a specific tour of the House, covering each room in detail (I will overuse the word detail in this review, for this book is defined by it and deliciously so); and what makes these chapters better are the substantial photographs and illustrations which accompany each description. Denyer includes the sort of minute detail that a book of this nature needs, for it is fannish in tone and fans desire detail, comprehensive and insider-ly tone in nature. Detail is good. Detail is important, and though occasionally overwhelming in nature, Denyer handles her detail very well and sympathetically.
I also particularly loved how the photographs of the house and local area were paired where relevant with illustrations from Potter's book. Something like this is so important in Potter's work; an artist who fed from her local landscape and contexts and translated this into the quietly lovely masterpieces that still remain popular today, and it's rare for a book to consciously acknowledge this link between landscape and literature. I've read a lot of literary guidebooks and there's so often a slight, definite distinction between the real and the fictional; here, Denyer dissolves that quite thoroughly and I think that's the great strength of both this book and Hill Top itself. It's a permeable space, and I find that rather thrilling. A space of defiant readerly potential.
This is a good book, such a good book, and I really rather like it. More of this sort of thing please world.
Denyer shines in her love for subject, and particularly in discussing Hill Top itself. These chapters take us on a specific tour of the House, covering each room in detail (I will overuse the word detail in this review, for this book is defined by it and deliciously so); and what makes these chapters better are the substantial photographs and illustrations which accompany each description. Denyer includes the sort of minute detail that a book of this nature needs, for it is fannish in tone and fans desire detail, comprehensive and insider-ly tone in nature. Detail is good. Detail is important, and though occasionally overwhelming in nature, Denyer handles her detail very well and sympathetically.
I also particularly loved how the photographs of the house and local area were paired where relevant with illustrations from Potter's book. Something like this is so important in Potter's work; an artist who fed from her local landscape and contexts and translated this into the quietly lovely masterpieces that still remain popular today, and it's rare for a book to consciously acknowledge this link between landscape and literature. I've read a lot of literary guidebooks and there's so often a slight, definite distinction between the real and the fictional; here, Denyer dissolves that quite thoroughly and I think that's the great strength of both this book and Hill Top itself. It's a permeable space, and I find that rather thrilling. A space of defiant readerly potential.
This is a good book, such a good book, and I really rather like it. More of this sort of thing please world.
October 7, 2009
Actually, what's not to like about England???? Having visited Potter's Hill Top home and village, I found the the book a lovely reminder of the setting which had been a trip back into childhood, from the garden's overturned wheel barrow to the vine covered stoop in the Peter Rabbit stories. This larger picture book is a lovely, nostalgic reminder of that visit and a great complement to the recent biography of Beatrix Potter.
August 9, 2009
If you'd like to know more about Beatrix Potter's home life and her efforts to save the farms of the Lake District of England, this book is a good one.
I wrote a complete review as the Oklahoma Gardening Examiner @
http://www.examiner.com/x-711-Oklahom... if you want to take a look.
I wrote a complete review as the Oklahoma Gardening Examiner @
http://www.examiner.com/x-711-Oklahom... if you want to take a look.
August 3, 2016
I went over this book several times just to admire the photographs again. This was a library book, and I probably wouldn't buy it, just because I have a hard time justifying coffee table size books I don't want to read, so much as ogle. Really enjoyable book though, I'd recommend it for any fan of the Lake District, and Beatrix Potter.
June 10, 2015
This is an exquisite book! Beatrix Potter's drawings are delicate and evocative, and the photographs of the Lake District are clear and show the landscape off expertly. It's a book to be savored, it's a book that makes you want to pack up and go live in the Lake District. I wish I owned this book, and I certainly am going to try to find my own copy!
January 12, 2010
This is a look at the homes and farms of Beatrix Potter's life. It was a lot of fun to see how these places influenced her drawings in her books. Don't know if it is for everyone, but if you love BP then you will enjoy this book.
April 22, 2010
A great guide if you can't be in the Lake District & walking thru the house. It shows & explains every single dish and picture and piece of furniture. The garden section is at least informational & the pictures of the Lakes are just wonderful.
April 17, 2012
I love Beatrix Potter. Her life was very interesting. This book is very informative and I love the pictures of her home and farm. I also enjoy her own illustrations and books. She was extremely talented.
March 29, 2016
What a beautiful book. The houses and landscape are all stunning. It's amazing the foresight she had into preserving this land. The views are just breathtaking. It's a shame to think what would have happened if it weren't for Beatrix and her cunning business sense and generosity.
August 23, 2016
A fun addition to the books on Beatrix Potter. Beautiful photos and detailed descriptions of the farms and other houses that Potter bought in the Lake District. I especially enjoyed the way the author matches photos of actual landscapes or interiors with Potter's illustrations in her books
January 21, 2008
What a lovely book! Gorgeous color photos and reproductions of Potter's paintings and drawings, focusing on the Lake District.
January 2, 2010
Interesting book about the author of the BP series. I never realized until reading this what a legacy she had in the preservation of the Lake Region of the UK.
April 6, 2010
I enjoyed this book, especially the photography and illustrations. Beatrix was a very talented and brave women. It was interesting to read about the women behind the lovely children's books.
April 3, 2010
A sweet pictorial showing the atmosphere Beatrix Potter was painting and writing in. It was neat to see how the the world around her inspired and made its way into her art.
May 22, 2015
Enjoyed the photos of the interiors of the houses
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews