Hill Top

HILL TOP, B 5285

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1087304
Date first listed:
25-Mar-1970
List Entry Name:
Hill Top
Statutory Address:
HILL TOP, B 5285
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Reference:
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© Mr David Steel. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1087304
Date first listed:
25-Mar-1970
List Entry Name:
Hill Top
Statutory Address 1:
HILL TOP, B 5285

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
HILL TOP, B 5285

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
Westmorland and Furness (Unitary Authority)
Parish:
Claife
National Park:
Lake District
National Grid Reference:
SD 37009 95563

Details

CLAIFE B5285 (South side) SD 39 NE Near Sawrey 6/49 Hill Top 25.3.70 GV II*

House, now museum, with farmhouse attached. C17 or early C18 with mid to late C18 alterations and 1906 addition for Beatrix Potter. Roughcast stone with slate roof. 2 storeys, 4 bays, the 1st bay projects under gable with pentice over ground floor and datestone reading: "1906/HBP". Windows are sashed with glazing bars, those to 1st bay and 1st floor of 2nd bay have horns. Plain entrance to 1st bay; entrance to 3rd bay has gabled slate slab porch and 6-fielded-panel door. Cross-axial stack and gable-end stack. Right return has small casement window. Rear has projecting stair wing with gabled projecting wing to right. Stair window has wooden cross-casement with leaded glazing tied back to iron bars. Gable-end stack to stair wing. Interior: Hall has panelling and fielded-panelled cupboard doors. Fireplace has C19 range. Parlour has C18 panelling with fluted flat pilasters and bed cupboard and pantry. Early C19 white and coloured marble fireplace. Staircase has column balusters, fluted square newels and ramped handrail. 1st floor has wide-board door; fireplace inscribed: "WHB/1934", C17 stone fireplace. C17 back stair. Hill Top was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1906 and was used by her as an occasional retreat and for her writing. She illustrated the house in many of her books, principally 'The Tale of Tom Kitten', 1907, 'The Tale of Samuel Whiskers', 1908, and 'The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck', 1908. She left the farm to The National Trust.

Listing NGR: SD3700995563

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
76724
Legacy System:
LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Potter, B, The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck, (1908)
Potter, B, The Tale of Samuel Whiskers, (1908)
Potter, B, The Tale of Tom Kitten, (1908)

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Hill Top

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 09-Jun-2026 at 01:14:21.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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