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!
The cousin of Ethel, Lady Hyde Parker, grandmother of Sir Richard Hyde Parker, the present Baronet of Melford Hall, Beatrix visited her relatives often, 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.
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.
Find out what it was like to live as an Earl, explore ‘Downton Abbey’ style...
With its antique shops, cafes, boutiques, restaurants and Tudor mansions, the village of Long Melford...
A family day out in Bury St Edmunds & Beyond needn't break the bank, check...
Sign up today to receive marketing and communications from Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, in line with our privacy policy.
Thank you for subscribing to receive updates from Bury St. Edmunds and Beyond. You will receive a confirmation email shortly, please follow the instructions in it to complete the subscription process.
We could not subscribe you, please complete the form again.
