Farm Tour
Discover the working farm
- Outdoors
- Approx. 1hour 15mins
- Informative & Educational
- Easy / Gentle Walk – uneven terrain, short incline
Join Amy on a unique exclusive opportunity to go beyond the farm gate & discover the working farm at Hill Top. The homestead that captured the heart of Beatrix Potter & became the inspiration for many of her worldwide famous story tales.
The approximate 75-minute guided outdoor tour in the Lakeland fresh air comprises of a warm welcome from Amy, a brief introductory about her family & life on the farm as a National Trust tenant.
Before wandering into the sheep pens where you will be greeted by selection of the Hill Top Herdwick flock providing opportunities for photographs & to learn more about the Lake Districts most hardy resilient sheep, the Herdwick.
From here the tour leisurely meanders up to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the village of Near Sawrey, Hill Top House, Esthwaite Water and the fells beyond. Wandering back down into the farmyard the tour captures scenes from The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck & provides the freedom to view Hill Top House from the other side of the farm gate, walking in Beatrix Potters footsteps.
The tour focuses on the proud fact the farm remains 100% working operating directly adjacent to the worldwide famous visitor attraction. Topics discussed include the farming year, farming traditions & the arising opportunities/challenges facing the farm.
On departing the farm, it is hoped you leave enthused by the farming industry and the livestock on the ground that have worked for generations shaping & caring for some of the Lake District’s most dramatic scenery. Coupled with a further embedded respect for Beatrix - not just as a talented author & illustrator but as a driven female land owner & farmer.
Testimonials
I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. When we visit Hill top house there is gate between it and the farm. This tour takes you beyond the gate and more. Well worth the value and the time. Thank you
Aug 2025
Our most grateful thanks for the ‘Herdwick experience’ today. It was a staggeringly successful and enjoyable experience made possible through your knowledge and way you presented every scrap of information. I can only say thank you very much for today and it will remain with us both for a very long time
Oct 2025
It was a real privilege to see Hilltop Farm and to walk where Beatrice Potter would have walked and farmed with the beautiful Herdwick sheep and cattle…. Something I will always remember and indeed enjoy reliving through the many photos I took
Aug 2024
Well worth booking on a Hill Top Farm tour. If you're a fan of Beatrix Potter the farm links to plenty of her stories & it's also a great opportunity to understand more about traditional Lakeland farming in its natural surroundings.
Oct 2025