Beatrix Potter's love of Melford Hall

Whilst Beatrix Potter's beautiful illustrations and stories are most often associated with the Lake District, a rare few were inspired by her time spent here in Suffolk!

Beatrix Potter's stays at Melford Hall

Beatrix Potter Room Melford Hall 965x540

The cousin of Ethel, Lady Hyde Parker, grandmother of Sir Richard Hyde Parker, the present Baronet of Melford Hall, Beatrix visited her relatives often between 1899 and 1916, staying at the hall many times, and it was here that she created numerous watercolour paintings of the house.

During her stays, she would reside in the West Bedroom, furnished with mid-Victorian furniture, the room also features a turret, which Miss Potter used to keep small animals that she had brought with her on her travels, and to this day, the room remains furnished as it would have been.

Beatrix spent many hours sketching the views in and around Melford Hall and used some of the furniture as inspiration for her books, which can still be seen in the house today!

In 2016 during house renovations at the Hall, House Manager Josephine Waters found three drawings hidden inside books; featuring chairs, fireplaces and other furniture from the Hall alongside animal characters such as Squirrel Nutkin and the Tailor of Gloucester.

A fourth drawing was also found by Lady Hyde Parker, who lives at Melford Hall with her husband, Sir Richard, where Potter took regular holidays between 1899 and 1916.

The spinning wheel currently in the Blue Drawing Room was the inspiration for a drawing by Beatrix and look out for her friend, the marmalade cat, a Christmas gift to Sir Richard’s sister Elizabeth when the family spent Christmas in the Lake District.

It is believed Beatrix depicted herself as a mouse asleep in the four poster bed in the West Bedroom where she stayed during her many visits to Melford Hall.

Beatrix Potter Jemima Puddleduck Melford Hall 965x540

The original Jemima Puddle-Duck that Beatrix used to illustrate ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

Look out for the original Jemima Puddle-Duck that she used to illustrate ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck and the toy kitten that Beatrix gifted to Elisabeth Hyde Parker (later Lady Camoys) at Christmas in 1939. Visitor books at Melford Hall have some very special entries - one of Beatrix Potter's illustrated entries is on display in the Great Hall.

In the garden, be sure to look out for the pond in the garden which Beatrix painted and used as inspiration in The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher!

For more information on National Trust Melford Hall and to book tickets visit their website.