Near Sawrey - Tower Bank Arms

♫Cobblestone Village♫

It was just a 7-minute drive in the van/bus from the ferry to Near Sawrey.  We disembarked in front of Tower Bank Arms* where we were staying.  Tower Bank Arms started as an Ale House in the 1600s.  Beatrix Potter featured it in "The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck".  . . .

*Just a note:  Photos are not necessarily taken at the time they are inserted into the story.

The plan was to drop off our luggage then stroll up the lane to the ticket office for Beatrix Potter's retreat, Hill Top.  I'd heard they sell out early in the day so our plan was to get our tickets first thing for later in the day.  Well, with those 14 ladies getting off the bus with us I was concerned I wouldn't get my 2 tickets, so I headed straight up the lane dragging my bag behind me. Because I didn't want the ladies to overhear my plan and hurry as well I didn't tell Ken about the change in plan.  I had no idea whether he was following me or not, but he did.  Good.  Now he could guard the luggage.  But he had a better idea--just lock them together.  No one could manage both together.  I needn't have worried about the tickets.  It turned out there were plenty.....relax, Cathy, breathe.  We reserved our entry for 1:00--after lunch--then headed back down the lane to Tower Bank Arms at a more leisurely pace. . . .

Anthony, the proprietor, saw us coming and met us in the driveway welcoming me by name.  It turned out our room was ready.  He led us through the pub. . . .

....and through this door and up the stairs on the right. . . .

The room was quite small, but it felt just right to me once I saw that window seat.  I loved the wallpaper. . .

The bathroom was so small you had to close the door before you could use the room.  But who cares!  This was our view from that window seat!  And that's Castle Cottage on the far right in the distance, where Beatrix and her husband, William lived after they married in 1913. . . .

We unpacked, then went back downstairs to look around.  It is said that Beatrix Potter would come into the pub now and then. . . .

This was the table to the left of the door as you came in. . . .

This was to your right when you entered, next to the fireplace. . . .

There was an additional dining room in the back. . . .

This was OUR table!  It even had a "Reserved" sign on it.

Right in that window!  You can see the bus top sign in this photo.  Hill Top's entrance is where that tree is. . . .

And this was our view!

Lunch was delicious!  They had the best breads!

Tomato Lentil Soup with Crusty Bread & Butter
Potted Chicken Liver & Pistachio Pate with Cumberland Sauce & Toast

We had a little bit of time before our 1:00 tour of Hill Top so we walked through the village which dates back at least to the 14th century.  You can see Castle Cottage better in this photo--the white cottage with the second-story bow window. . .

Looking east along the wall that runs in front of Castle Cottage. . . .

Around the corner of this stone wall is the lane that runs in front of Castle Cottage. . . .

Buckle Yeat Guest House was next door--I could see it from our window. . . .

That's Mr. McGregor (from Peter Rabbit fame) sitting on the bench out front.  For a donation you could take a selfie with him. . . .

A close-up of the weather vane on the chimney. . . .

Buckle Yeat's garden is featured in Beatrix Potter's story "The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan". . . .

I'm standing at the entrance of Stones Lane.  You can see Tower Bank Arms down the lane and up the driveway. . . .

This post box was used by Beatrix Potter!. . . .

Meadowcroft was once a shop in the village and was featured in Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Ginger and Pickles", although the building never had the bow window as depicted in the book.   It is now a holiday let and is located at the corner of Stones Lane and the main road through the village that runs between the ferry and Hawkshead. . . .

Anvil Cottage was once the village bakery and now a holiday let also.  It is across from Meadowcroft. . . .

That's my reflection in a mirror inside Anvil Cottage. . . .

This cottage was a few doors down from Meadowcroft on Stones Lane. . . .

Further up Stones Lane was Belle Green B&B where Beatrix Potter stayed while Hill Top was being renovated to accommodate her farm manager, John Cannon and his family. . . .

What I loved about Near Sawrey was once Hill Top closed for the day you had the village to yourself.  The only people out and about were those walking from the holiday lets and hotels for dinner at either Tower Bank Arms or Sawrey House, the only eating establishments in the village.

Many of you are familiar with Susan Wittig Albert's book series, The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter,  set in Near Sawrey.  Here is a link to her page with the hand-drawn maps of Near Sawrey.  The cottages are all depicted accurately if you'd like to see where they are located.  I've read this series twice, and now that I've been there I'm eager to read it again since I've seen these cottages in person.

Note: To view photos in a larger format as a slide show double click on the first photo then scroll down.

Up Next:  Beatrix Potter - Hill Top Farm