Saturday, October 23, 2010

Yew Tree Farm

If you share a love of Beatrix Potter as I do, I have a treat in store.....

Courtesy of Britain's ITV3 television program 'Living the Dream' we are treated to an incredible visit inside Yew Tree Farmhouse, home of Beatrix Potter.



The life of Beatrix Potter is a fascinating story in itself, one that has a lot to offer children particularly as an insight into the constraints and expectations of women in the Victorian Era. Ahead of her time she defied convention to become not only one of the great storytellers and artists of her age but also a landowner, farmer and conservationist .


(Helen) Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)

Yew Tree Farm with its distinctive ‘spinning gallery’ is in the beautiful Lake District, in a stunning picturesque setting it is ideally located for all Lakeland activities.

The Farm House was built in 1693 and is one of the most photographed farms in the North. Yew tree was owned by Beatrix Potter in the 1930s and is still home to many of her furnishings, Yew Tree farm featured as ‘Hill Top’ in the movie ‘Miss Potter’ starring Rene Zellweger.

Beatrix called the Lake District in England her beloved home. She owned several farms in the local area, Yew Tree Farmhouse being her favorite. Yew Tree Farmhouse is partly of 17th Century date or earlier, with a new end added in 1743.

This date, and the initials of the then owner, George Walker, are cut in the ironwork of the front door. The farm gets its name from the yew tree, some 700 years old when it blew down in 1896.

"…as nearly perfect a little place as I ever lived in, and such nice old-fashioned people in the village." -Beatrix Potter


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Video credit: yewtreefarm1/ITV3


18 comments:

Stella Jones said...

Isn't it pretty! I so enjoyed the film, did you?
Blessings, Star

Verde Farm said...

I watched it twice because it is so beautiful. I am goign to rent the movie now and I so want to go and stay in this wonderful place. It is a dream for sure. Thank you so much for sharing it :)
Amy

Christine said...

Jo this post was absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed the video too.
That young couple have a beautiful place to live and work and raise their young children. Would love to visit there.

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Oh Jo..this was a beautiful post. I've seen this video before and I enjoyed it then and even more now that I've seen the movie Miss Potter. If I ever get back over to England to see my sister I'd LOVE to see the Lake District and Yew Tree Farm...I can just imagine all the wonderful pictures and memories I'd take home with me. THANK YOU for sharing this with us. Enjoy your weekend.
Maura :)

Tom Stephenson said...

And Beatrix Potter actually shot Peter the Rabbit, so he would stay still long enough for her to draw him - what a girl!

Deb said...

I loved this video. Thank you for posting it. It takes you away for those 10 minutes and you are certainly in a magical place. Hugs, Deb

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Tom: This is the first I have heard of her shooting the rabbits. I have read that the Victorian obsession with natural-history studies could be found everywhere (even in the animal drawings Potter made as a child there is an attention to physical form, attained through her habit of boiling her dead rabbits down to their carcasses so she could study their skeletons).
Of course she could have just bought one at the butcher shop.

Tom Stephenson said...

Nope, Tennessee Brit - she was a regular Annie Oakly with a shotgun. She was sometimes tempted to take a pot at visiting tourists too. Like I said, what a girl.

Sharon said...

Truly ahead of her time. Such a lovely place! I used to read Peter Rabbit to my son, when he was small and he loved it.

Betsy Brock said...

I must watch this! I love her!

Patsy said...

I loved the movie and your video.
Patsy

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Beautiful sharing!
Happy Sunday to you!
Wong

Emptyhead51 said...

BEAUTIFUL!!! BRAVO for another great post! Now that I know the story behind the scenes, I have to watch the movie.

Carol said...

Gorgeous. I've seen the movie so it was nice to watch modern day life htere.

Rock rose said...

Watching the ITV segment was wonderful. We hiked to Yew Tree a few years ago and had afternoon tea there. It was just perfect. When we were leaving they were just bringing the Herdwicks out, the border collies herding them up into the fields. it as just magic. One place which has never changed. I love the lakes, grew up just 50 miles away and miss them so much. Thank you.

About Cassandra said...

Thank you, thank you for posting this video! I am definitely adding Yew Tree Farm B&B to my itinerary for my next trip to England! Cassandra ♥

Patricia N said...

I was delighted to find your blog and see this video. In the fall of 2007, while visiting my son and his family in Great Livermere, I took the train to the Lake District and spent two nights at Yew Tree Farm. When taking my reservation Jon noted that, being a Sunday, I could choose to be served one of Caroline's suppers--how could I say no? Every year at this time wanderlust beckons to the gypsy in my soul and I long to return there. Thank God "there will always be an England," and I will follow my heart there. Thanks again for your splendid blog. Patricia

ann said...

I have been fortunate to have been to the Lake District twice. Once in 2001 and again in 2006, touring England with university students studying English Literature. Ours was a unique literary tour of England, so in Grasmere we spent time at Dove Cottage and Rydal Monte, channeling Wordsworth, but missed Yew Tree Farm. My traveling friend and I plan to return to the Lake District and want to stay in Grasmere. We love all things British, especially anything connected with English writers and their literature. I enjoyed the video; I love your blog. I just took a little mini virtual vacation this evening and had a lovely time. Thank you. ann