Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature is the first exhibition to tell the complete life story of Beatrix Potter, one of the best loved authors of children's fiction in the 20th century. Realised through a major partnership with the National Trust, this playful and interactive exhibition invites visitors of all ages to rediscover this household name and explore the full breadth of her achievements and multifaceted life, from storyteller to natural scientist and conservationist.
The exhibition showcases over 200 personal objects including artworks, rarely seen letters, manuscripts, sketches, coded diaries, family photographs, commercial merchandise and personal artefacts. It celebrates her early talent for storytelling, her business acumen and her fascination with the scientific study of the natural world, as well as her passion for sheep farming and conservation – a legacy still felt today.
Across four sections, the exhibition follows Potter's journey from London to the Lake District, where she eventually settled. The first section, Town and Country, provides a backdrop to her childhood in South Kensington in London; Under the Microscope highlights Potter's interest in natural science; A Natural Storyteller reveals her almost accidental journey to becoming a best-selling author; finally, Living Nature follows Potter to the Lake District and celebrates her profound impact on the natural landscape.
★★★★ – A fascinating exhibition.
★★★★ – Proof there was more to the author than cute bunnies.
★★★★ – As good as a trip to the Lakes.
