About Us
Beatrix Potter's bequest to the nation
On her death in 1943, Beatrix Potter bequeathed to the National Trust a huge portfolio of real estate – property that she had acquired during her life with the profits from her famous series of books, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck - with the intention that it should be preserved and protected for the benefit of the nation.
In doing so she helped to create an important part of the English Lake District, an extraordinary leisure facility popular with millions of people. For example, and she made clear in her will the basis on which the property was to be managed (eg rented out at moderate rents), in addition to the fifteen farms, 4000 acres of land, half of the Monk Coniston estate, and Belmount Hall, she purchased some twenty houses in the Sawrey valley, particularly in Near Sawrey and Hawkshead.
In this way, she prevented these houses from becoming ‘second homes’, and provided accommodation for locals. As a result of her prescience, many of the houses and cottages in Near Sawrey have permanent residents, and there is still a community. By contrast, in Chapel Stile in Little Langdale, only fourteen of the sixty four houses have permanent occupants.
The National Trust recognised the enormity and value of the bequest by naming their national headquarters in Swindon ‘Heelis’ – Beatrix’ married name after marrying William Heelis, a solicitor.
Who are we?
Having lived in London, where they worked in law and executive recruitment, Chris and Gillie moved to the Lake District in 1982 to take over Chris’ parents house south of Coniston water.
In 1991, they were given the opportunity to take over the rundown tea rooms Business at Brantwood, Coniston (John Ruskin' home until his death in 1900) called “Jumping Jenny“.
With no experience in running a Café business, they launched themselves on an unsuspecting public. Thanks largely to Gillie’s Cake baking skills, and with Chris' support on savoury food, Plus the extraordinary location in the former stables of Brantwood, overlooking Coniston water and the Coniston fells,
The Business rapidly became very successful.
The Tea rooms became a sophisticated destination coffeehouse and licensed restaurant. Its success depended upon repeat Business.
It acquired a large following, because of the combination of its location, scones made fresh every day, Gillies famous Tarte au Citron, Chris’ Lasagne, the epic ‘Brantwich’, (E.g. crispy bacon and melted brie in a hot baguette), Gillie’s amazing coffee, carrot, banana and chocolate cakes (which sold like the proverbial “hotcakes“), great staff, great service, great views and woodburning stove blazing on most days.
In May 1991, four months after starting in the business, Chris was asked whether they could host a wedding evening party.
That was the beginning of a new adventure.