The Lake District’s historic houses

Over the course of the last 10 days or so, historic building and monuments across the country have thrown open their doors to the public as part of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, a chance for you to see hidden places and try out new experiences.

This year, Heritage Open Days ran from 9 – 18 September with events taking place in every corner of the Lake District, from Carlisle to Cartmel, Ambleside to Appleby. Although this year’s event has now finished, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to stick with the cultural and heritage theme and put together our top ten list of historic houses in Cumbria. And as we’re based in Windermere, we thought this was the perfect place to start.

Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House, Bowness-on-Windermere

Originally designed as a holiday home for Manchester brewery owner Sir Edward Holt, Blackwell later became a school and then an office space. Nowadays, it’s one of the UK’s finest examples of Arts and Crafts movement.

When you visit, you’ll discover beautiful furniture and objects from leading designers and makers of the time, including MH Baillie Scott, Archibald Knox and William de Morgan. There are also pieces by local makers and designers such as Annie Garrett and Arthur Simpson of Kendal.

After your visit, soak up the wonderful views of Lake Windermere and the Lake District fells beyond while you enjoy a tasty treat in the tea-room.

Hill Top – Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse home

On the other side of Lake Windermere is Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home and a time capsule of her life in the Lake District. It almost appears as if the author has just popped out for a walk.

Managed by the National Trust, Hill Top was bought by Beatrix Potter with the proceeds of her Peter Rabbit book in 1905. The house and its surroundings went on to provide the inspiration for so many of her books. If you’re a true fan, you’ll recognise the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck laid her egg, as well as the garden where Tom Kitten and his sisters played.

Sizergh Castle, Kendal

Another one of the properties managed by the National is Sizergh Castle, a few miles south of Kendal.

The house started life as a pele tower, built by the Strickland family around 1350. But in the mid-1500s, the family undertook a major rebuilding programme, transforming it into a fashionable Elizabethan residence. This included fitting out the interior…