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Beatrix first visited the Lake District in the summer of 1882 on a family holiday. There she became friendly with the local vicar, Canon Rawnsley. He was already concerned by the effects of industry and tourism on the natural beauty of the Lake District, and he taught Beatrix the importance of preserving the countryside.
In 1895, Rawnsley helped to found The National Trust, an organisation set up to protect and preserve land and buildings of great beauty or historical importance. Beatrix kept its cause close to her heart all her life. With the income from The Peter Rabbit BooksTM she was able to buy and manage land for The National Trust. As a farmer herself, she tried to ensure that the traditional farming methods and the old way of doing things would not be forgotten.
When she died in 1943, Beatrix Potter left 4000 acres of land to The National Trust, including 15 farms, cottages and many local areas of beauty including Tarn Hows. Her gift back to the land she loved was to help preserve it for future generations.
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