While other famous people have lived in the Lake District,
this region of England is synonymous with Beatrix Potter, who spent vacations
and holidays there in her youth, and opted to live there after she became a
successful author. This connection is
reflected in sales literature and advertising: any brochure on the area is
bound to mention important Beatrix Potter sites. We opted to visit Ambleside, a town located
in the southern portion of the Lake District.
In particular, we wondered how the Lake District, with its Beatrix
Potter connections, might be different from the other English regions we had
visited. These included the town of
Holmfirth in the Peak District, associated with the TV show “Last of the Summer
Wine,” the town of Thirsk in the North York Moors, and the village of Askrigg
in the Yorkshire Dales, the latter two being associated with author and
veterinarian James Herriot.
Unlike those other areas, the Lake District has long been a
place for vacationers, so expect to pay to park anywhere you
go, and perhaps also to use the public restrooms.
Most attractions, such as museums, charge admission and forbid you to
photograph their exhibits. You’ll find
plenty of shops and pubs targeted at tourists, and the towns, parks, and
attractions are bound to be busy whenever you go, so visit during the week if
you can.
 |
| In addition to so many other worthwhile causes, Beatrix Potter was also a major benefactor of the Armitt Museum. |
We started our day in Ambleside with a visit to the Armitt
Museum. On the ground floor, I was most
impressed with a collection of scientific drawings and paintings made by
Beatrix Potter. Instead of floppy-eared
bunnies or cute farm animals, these were highly detailed representations of
fossils and fungi. I hadn’t realized
that, before she wrote her children’s books, she had hoped to pursue a career
in the natural sciences. In addition to
those displayed on the walls, I pulled out cabinet drawers, transfixed by her
colorful and accurate sketches and watercolors.
 |
| I loved these chairs. Not only were they beautiful, but extremely comfortable. |
Upstairs, we fell into conversation with two docents in the
research library. The library holds a
substantial collection of books covering every aspect of Lake District history,
geography, and cultural heritage. As a
woodworker, I admired the furniture made by a nearby shop. I also learned something interesting. According to the docents, Beatrix Potter wrote
children’s books, but she didn’t particularly like children. Supposedly they unsettled her, and she
strived to keep her distance from them.
At first, this seems difficult to understand. After all, her first novel, The Tale of Peter
Rabbit, was supposedly culled from stories she told a friend’s son in her
letters. But I think we’d all agree that
it’s possible to love something in the abstract, and yet not love it in the
concrete.
 |
| Bridge House was built over 300 years ago. Photographers are still attracted by its charm. |
 |
| If your wallet is slowing you down, these shops can help lighten your load. |
 |
| The Lake District draws visitors of all shapes and sizes. |
After our visit to
the Armitt, we wandered around town for a while, peering into shop windows, and
even stepping inside a few. But it was a
warm, pleasant day, and we didn’t want to spend all of it indoors, when there
was so much scenic beauty to explore.
Dragon Dave
Related Dragon Cache entries
No comments:
Post a Comment