BEATRIX Potter's birthday celebrations get into full-swing this week as we reach the big day.

Catering staff at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway are diving into their cake recipe books and getting the teapots at the ready, as they prepare for a very special birthday party, to help celebrate the author’s 150th year.

On Thursday July 28, which would have been Beatrix’s birthday, one of her most beloved characters, Peter Rabbit, will be out and about staging meet and greets at Dalegarth Station, near Boot, whilst also posing for pictures.

The downstairs café in the Fellbites Eatery will be selling cakes and serving up tea, for those who wish to join the party and enjoy some home-baked goodies.

Children’s artist, writer and illustrator Mark Bardsley will be showing off his talent within an activity marquee, entertaining visitors with his caricatures and drawings, as one of the illustrators following in Beatrix Potter’s footsteps.

The National Trust will also be staging activities from its "50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 and ¾" initiative, giving families food for thought about how to have fun in the natural environment in the future, as well as providing on-the-day entertainment at Dalegarth.

Families wishing to know more about Beatrix Potter and her connections with Eskdale, can head to the Beatrix Potter exhibition, housed in the function room at Dalegarth Station.

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway’s marketing manager, Rachel Bell, says: “We are delighted to be able to play our part in the Beatrix Potter 150th birthday celebrations and are sure children will love seeing Peter Rabbit at our special birthday party.

“Dalegarth is a wonderful spot from which to explore the landscape, so as well as enjoying the activities we have laid on, we hope families, couples and other visitors, will use it as a base from which to get to know Eskdale, perhaps visit Dalegarth Force and also see the Eskdale Corn Mill. There are so many places to visit, that it would be a shame not to do what we are sure Beatrix Potter would have loved – appreciating the natural beauty and assets all around us.”

There is a small charge for activities at Dalegarth Station on the day, but train times and pricing are the same as on the standard scheduled service.

The first train from Ravenglass is at 9.25am with the first steam departure at 10.25am. Trains depart from Dalegarth at 10.25am, with the first steam departure at 11.30am. The last departure from Ravenglass is at 5.50pm (diesel) and the last one from Dalegarth leaves at 6.40pm (diesel).

Timetable information on scheduled services can be found at www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk

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