Beatrix Potter bought hill farms and estates, such as Belmount Hall, in the Lake District with the profits from her publications. She was a keen farmer and developed a passion for Herdwick sheep and quickly became an expert breeder of the sheep. In 1923 she bought Troutbeck Park Farm, which is across the valley from Belmount and can be seen from our door, and bred Herdwicks here which she entered in local agricultural shows – winning many awards! When she died in 1943 she left 14 farms, sheep and 4000 acres of land to the National Trust.

These Herdwicks have been under this tree for the past few mornings, obviously having a meeting to discuss the days plans. Or how they can make Beatrix Potter’s 150th Birthday year extra special!