The Lake District

The year of Norman’s death, Beatrix purchased Hill Top Farm in Cumbria. It was to become her sanctuary and where she wrote her best-loved books, including the tales of Jemima Puddle-Duck and Tom Kitten. In 1909, a local solicitor called William Heelis acted for her in the purchase of nearby Castle Farm. Beatrix and William wed in 1913 and, together, they bought up more land, keen to preserve the natural beauty of the Lake District. Beatrix also became an award-winning breeder of Herdwick sheep.