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Despite its unassuming size, the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction not only promises its visitors a hopping good time, but manages to deliver on this, transporting both children and adults alike into the pages of Beatrix Potter’s world through its unique, multi-sensory installations.
Situated in the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere, this long-standing museum is a family favourite and, with its recent revamp and addition of the themed Peter Rabbit Café, has secured its place as one of the best things to do in the Lake District for families.
Though the museum only takes around 45 minutes to an hour to explore, it’s an ideal size for younger children to navigate on foot and ensures that everyone’s attention stays hooked right to the very end.
Need more ideas? See our guide to Bowness with kids.
Where is the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction?
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is conveniently located in the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere which can be easily accessed by car, bus or even ferry.
Address: Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3BX
Click here for Google Maps location
Though the attraction does not have its own car park, multiple pay and display car parks are available within walking distance, the closest of which is the council-run Rayrigg Road car park 50 metres away.
It should be noted that, as Bowness is one of the Lake District’s most popular tourist hubs, parking during the summer months can be very tricky, so make allowances for this.
Whilst the attraction is pram and wheelchair accessible, entry is via a steep slope up from Rayrigg Road, or a steep slope down from Crag Brow.
Opening Times
The attraction is open daily (10am to 4:30pm) except Christmas Day and select dates each January (confirmed each year) when it closes for maintenance.
The attraction’s two cafés (The Peter Rabbit Café and The Burrow) are also open daily from 10:30am to 4:00pm.
Ticket Prices
Attraction tickets can be purchased online in advance or on arrival from their Box Office. Tickets include entry to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. Entry to the themed shop on Crag Brow, the attraction shop within the main building and the themed Peter Rabbit Café is free.
When booking online, there are two available options:
- an ‘anytime ticket’, allowing you to visit at any point within opening hours on a certain day. This is helpful if you do not know what time you will arrive, but you may need to queue, particularly during the peak months and on rainy days.
- a time slot ticket, which allows you entry within a selected 30-minute time window. If you are running late for your selected time, staff at the Box Office will assign you to the next available time slot on your arrival, but this may involve a wait.
- Child (aged 0-2): Free
- Child (aged 3-16): £7.80
- Senior (aged 60+): £11.55
- Adult: £12.60
- Family (2 adults & 2 children): £38.00
- Family (2 adults & 3 children) £45.00
There is also the Freedom Pass (2 adults & up to 3 children) for £70. This allows for unlimited visits for one year, 10% off in the café all year, and 10% off in the attraction shop on your first visit. This must be purchased online ahead of your visit.
Exploring the attraction
Named as one of TripAdvisor’s ‘Top 15 Best Family Museums in Europe’, the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction invites its visitors to hop inside the beloved world of Peter Rabbit and his infamous companions as they take a walking tour through 3D scenes of Beatrix Potter’s 23 classic tales.
The experience begins with a short video introducing Beatrix herself, before opening into a one-way walk which guides visitors through snapshots of each story, with interactive touch screens and sensory elements throughout (Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s fresh laundry smell is particularly enjoyable), as well as into a small show garden filled with the heritage fruits and vegetables that Beatrix Potter included in her tales. The museum draws to a close with a larger room dedicated to explaining Beatrix’s life and achievements through videos, timelines, and games for younger visitors to enjoy.
Whilst the attraction is almost entirely pram friendly, with just one section of the garden requiring access by steps, the museum is small and comprised of a narrow, one-way path. During busy times, navigating a pram may be challenging. Prams can be left unattended in the attraction’s entrance.
Children’s activities
Where the attraction excels is in capturing the excitement of its youngest visitors, regardless of whether or not they are Beatrix Potter fans.
- Trail booklets are included in the cost of the ticket and encourage interaction through quiz questions and activities at each stage of the walking tour, as well as including sticker pages and fun facts to be enjoyed throughout.
- Each of the scenes houses a touch screen where children can engage with the story, as well as having a go at the ‘Can you find…’ question.
- The final room features a wall of simple puzzles, as well as a larger touch screen where children can explore maps of the Lake District, ‘paint’ characters from the stories, and complete simple jigsaws.
However, in busier hours, the one-way system can make it tricky to slow down and complete each activity without rushing, and the single touchscreen may pose a turn-taking challenge even with the museum’s staggered entrance system.
Special Events
The attraction often runs featured events throughout the year, details of which can be found on their website.
Current permanent experiences are the ‘Paint your own Peter Rabbit’ souvenir (£5 per sculpture) and ‘Post a Potter Postcard’ (£4 for one postcard, £6 for two).
The Gift Shop
The museum tour ends directly in the attraction’s in-house gift shop which is immaculately presented and filled to bursting with themed merchandise from baby clothing to decorative ornaments. Photo booth images (taken just before exiting the attraction) can also be purchased here.
A second, larger gift shop is located out of the exhibition itself and up a steep slope which leads onto Crag Brow. Whilst the in-house gift shop is entirely pram and wheelchair friendly, the Crag Brow location has a stepped entrance, as well as multiple sets of steps within.
The Cafés
Inside the attraction is The Burrow Café: a canteen-style ‘coffee and cake’ café which can be accessed by stairs or lift from the main entrance to the museum. Many of the museum’s events take place here.
The true must-visit, however, is the Peter Rabbit Café which is situated directly opposite the attraction entrance on Rayrigg Road. The entire space is decorated in theme (think character statues, chandeliers made of vegetables and watering cans dangling from the ceiling), and even the food remains in character, with a menu featuring items like Peter Rabbit shaped pizzas. Enjoy your food as children decorate their own rabbit ears and a projector plays iconic scenes from the books’ adaptations, over a spinning stage of produce-filled wheelbarrows.
Facilities
- Coffee shop
- Sit-down dining café
- Toilets
- Baby changing facilities
- Pram friendly (except for part of the Peter Rabbit garden)
The Lake District Kids Verdict
While the attraction itself isn’t large enough to fill a full day, it’s well worth setting aside an hour if you’re visiting Bowness; especially if you plan to stop at the themed Peter Rabbit Café as part of your visit. Children will enjoy spotting model characters throughout, and those with pocket money will likely find it hard to leave either of the two gift shops empty-handed.
For a short, immersive experience with a nostalgic step back into childhood, the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction earns its place on any must-visit list.
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