National Trust - Hill Top Beatrix Potter House — Attraction in Great Britain

Sadly I’m only leaving three stars which pains me to do so as the house was absolutely gorgeous and every bit how I envisaged the women staff were so pleasant and told us some interesting facts about the house and Beatrix Potter. The garden was gorgeous even magical! What I had a major problem with was the lack of parking and how a gentleman parking attendant asked what our disability status was when we presented him with our blue badge the assumption was that we didn’t have a disability (that’s how it made us feel) do you have a wheelchair? He asked which was absolutely unacceptable and an unnecessary question to ask us! We have a blue badge for a reason the local authority don’t just hand them out we went through a lot of hoops to get it for our son who has a life long disability. We then explained in detail which was degrading and was absolutely non of his business and did make me feel quite upset. This place lacks parking with just the one disability bay the other being coned off the parking was absolutely chaotic why on earth the National Trust didn’t buy the land opposite to turn into a car park is quite questionable. The place clearly annoys the locals who were swearing at the car park queue queuing down the road and roaring past! It did disappoint and let the place down which is a shame and I think Beatrix Potter herself would of found the whole thing unacceptable and unorganised for the local community around her. I think they need to rethink how long people stay at the house for as we were at least a couple of hours when they say it’s a half an hour visit which isn’t long enough to visit with a coffee...

Beatrix Potter was an amazing woman. If you haven't read Linda Lears Biography of her, you really should because she was SO much more than just the author/illustrator of the childrens books. Her cottage has been on my must visit list for far too long, and finally, I got to visit. If you ever watched the animated TV series starring Niamh Cusack as Beatrix, then you will know Beatrix's parts were actually filmed on location in the cottage and my goodness it is glorious! I visited on a rainy and grey March day, the Hollyhocks and wisteria aren't out yet and the garden is only just beginning to show signs of life, so I can only imagine how beautiful and magical it must feel visiting in the summer but even with the typical English weather, the cottage itself is so well looked after and the staff inside are extremely knowledgeable and were very helpful. I know some people complain about the cost of visiting this cottage, but you are paying for the upkeep and maintenance of it AND the staff so for me, it's extremely reasonable. You just need to visit and see it...

DO NOT VISIT - unless you drive a small vehicle. No where to park for vans and the staff are rude and unknowingly (I hope) discrimated against my disability. I have a blue badge. I checked before we left and it was 'no need to book' arrived on 1st August and its booking only. Just sad for my children who travelled for hours to see it. They have wanted to come since they were little. Before the film. The staff said we could come at 4 and they could 'try' to fit us in but the kids were already upset and we decided not to push it. I didn't want to be rushed and I just felt unwelcome and not wanted. Making formal complaint to National Trust for their ethical behaviour of one particular woman who lied. Foul Old woman with a 'godlike' complex. Won't be ever coming back. Sadly this site has let the national trusts reputation...