What to expect from this family favourite in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria – one of the most visited attractions in the Lake District.
Whether you have travelled across the globe as a Beatrix Potter devottee or popped in on a rainy day to entertain the kids, this whistlestop tour of the whimsical world of Peter Rabbit and friends is a true delight for the senses. Though some aspects of the exhibit focus on Potter’s own story and true life inspiration, it is easy to get lost in the magic of the characters which she so famously created.
Top Tip: get there early… or late. Due to the walk-through nature of the exhibit, it can get congested at times, so planning to visit first thing in the morning or towards the end of the day will give you the best chance of taking it all in at your own pace.
Welcome
As you walk towards the entrance to The World Of Beatrix Potter, it can seem a bit small, but I promise you it is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside! As you enter the small entrance & ticket office area, you get your first hint of what lies ahead as a hand crafted Peter Rabbit figure is poised perfectly at the desk. While you wait, you may even meet ‘Beatrix Potter’ herself (or at least a very charming actress portraying her likeness). As you collect your tickets, you will also be offered the chance to complete a scavenger hunt – this is the perfect tool to help you keep the kids engaged throughout the experience and take time to look at all of the details.
Short Film
The creators of this beloved attraction knew that guest flow could potentially be an issue, so in order to set a comfortable pace for everyone, the experience starts with a short film introducing Beatrix Potter, her early life and her charming cast of characters whom we have all come to know and love. Whilst being purposefully educational, the music and brief nature of the film means excited children won’t need to sit still for too long before the magic really begins…
The Main Event
As the doors of the theatre swing open, the most magical part of the exhibit is revealed. You are invited to literally set foot in to the whimsical world of Beatrix Potter. Everywhere you look is truly fascinating. Perfectly crafted sculptures of the classic characters are nestled in amongst thoughtfully placed sets which recreate scenes from her cherished tales. With animated movement, show lighting, music and more, this place is far from being a museum. Everywhere you look, you notice something different, and my 4 year old son could not believe his eyes. From tiny mice living in their tiny houses, to Old Brown swooping down from the trees, these hand-crafted vignettes are such a treat for the senses. The hardest part is trying to get your kids to slow down a bit so you can take it all in!
The Garden
Small but perfectly formed, Mr McGregor’s Garden is a wonderful place to take a moment to reflect (if you are lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, as we were). This is situated about half way through the attraction, so gives you a chance to check your scavenger hunt to see what you’ve missed before its too late!
Interactive Exhibit
About two-thirds of the way through the attraction is an area dedicated to Beatrix Potter herself (it is her attraction, after all). Though more historical in its content, it provides a wonderful insight in to her life, her inspiration and her love of the Lake District. This area has been updated in recent years to include new technology and interactive elements which allow you to ‘walk in Potter’s footsteps’ and see what the area was like back in the 1900s.
Photo Opportunity
As with many attractions, you can purchase a souvenir photo of your family right before you exit through the gift shop. This is essentially a built-in camera with a timer, and it took us 4 or 5 attempts to understand how it worked and get us all looking at the camera! We worked it out in the end and had our picture printed when we paid for it in the gift shop.
“Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit” Show
On select days in July & August, you can also visit The Old Laundry Theatre to enjoy this enchanting musical show featuring Peter Rabbit and friends. A wonderfully crafted show featuring larger-than-life puppets, this is an experience your whole family is bound to enjoy! Showing twice a day at 11:00 and 13:30, tickets should be purchased in advance via the Old Laundry Theatre website to avoid disappointment. You can also upgrade your experience further by adding afternoon tea to your package. All ticketing information is available here: oldlaundrytheatre.ticketsolve.com
The New Laundry Cafe
Hot & cold drinks, sandwiches, paninis, baked goods, afternoon tea, and carrot cake of course… everything you could possible expect from a Great British cafe is here! The room is beautifully decorated with artwork depicting our favourite Beatrix Potter characters, with the menu and many of its items complementing the theme. Take a peek at the menu here.
Gift Shop
Every great attraction ends with an epic gift shop, and this is no different. There are actually two separate gift shops, though there is some overlap in the offerings, I recommend visiting both. You literally ‘exit through the gift shop’ when you have completed the walk through attraction, and this is the smaller of the two. The larger shop is on the main street and is not technically in the same building as the attraction, though they are side-by-side. Both shops are filled to the rafters of Peter Rabbit and friends merchandise, both from the more recent animated TV show, the feature-length film or the original hand-drawn characters illustrated by Beatrix herself. Everything from fridge magnets to fine china, toys to tents, purses to paintings and everything in between – if its not here, it probably doesn’t exist!
How To Get There
Although The World Of Beatrix Potter does not have it’s own car park, there are plenty of council-operated car parks in Bowness-On-Windermere, so you should not struggle to find a spot. The closest is Rayrigg Road car park which operates a pay and display system, payable by cash, contactless card payment or pay by phone. If you are staying in Ambleside, Brockhole or Lakeside, you could always travel by a Windermere Lake Cruise. Alternatively, there are public bus services operating regularly to Bowness-On-Windermere too.
Address: Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BX
What3Words: powerful.strike.trinkets
Telephone: 015394 88444
Tickets
Although tickets can be purchased in advance with a ‘Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit’ show ticket, you can also pay on arrival. Though you may have to wait a little while at busy times, the attraction does not ‘sell out’. For current prices, please visit the official attraction website: www.hop-skip-jump.com
Gallery
Although the attraction is quite small, if you take your time, stay for some refreshments in the cafe and do a spot of shopping, you could easily make the experience last a few hours. For anyone with children, a love of classic stories or just looking for something to do on a rainy day, this is a lovely way to spend your time.
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Have you ever visited The World Of Beatrix Potter? What was your highlight? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!
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Our Whimsical World 