Lakes set for flood of fans from Japan

Jan 7 2007 By Caroline Smith The Sunday Sun

North tourism bosses are bracing themselves for an influx of Japanese Beatrix Potter fans by hiring interpreters.

The Lake District is preparing itself for a flood of visitors from the Far East after the release of a major movie starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.

Miss Potter - a film about the life and loves of the writer behind characters such as Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck - hit cinemas last week and is expected to bring a huge boost to visitor numbers.

Beatrix Potter's books are extremely popular with the Japanese. And that means the number of Japanese tourists in the area - already around 11,000 a year - is expected to soar in the wake of the movie's release.

Hoards are expected to visit key filming locations and attractions with a connection to the children's author and tourism chiefs are determined to give them a warm welcome . . . Japanese style.

Richard Foster, of The World of Beatrix Potter visitor attraction, said: "We are going to be taking on translators and interpreters on an ad-hoc basis. We'll base that on the number of bookings we get on the back of the film.

"We already have a number of Japanese speakers in the area but if, as hoped, the movie gives tourist numbers a boost we will need more guides to be able to translate for them. The Japanese are mad on Peter Rabbit but don't really know a lot about the woman who created him. That is why this film is going to be so useful to us."

The £17m film, which is not released in Japan until the autumn, charts Beatrix's life.

Some filming took place in the Windermere and Keswick areas and the film-makers also hired Keswick school for a day. A spokesman for Cumbria Tourist Board said: "Beatrix Potter's books used to be on the school curriculum in Japan, so they all love them.

"We have for a while encouraged our hoteliers and B&B owners to learn a few words of the language or how to do a traditional Japanese greeting."

Andrew Dobson, who owns the Lakes Hotel in Windermere, has taken the advice on board.

He said: "I went over to Japan to learn a bit of the language. I couldn't hold a fluent conversation, but I can greet people and point things out. I do think they appreciate the effort."

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Potter places expect extra foreign visitors

1 HILL TOP, HAWKSHEAD: Beatrix lived in this house for 30 years and based some of the illustrations in her books on the cottage, garden, farm and village.

2 THE BEATRIX POTTER GALLERY, HAWKSHEAD: This 17th-century building was her husband William Heelis's solicitor's office and will feature an exhibition during 2007.

3 THE WORLD OF BEATRIX POTTER: All 23 Beatrix Potter tales are brought to life in this attraction, which includes virtual walks with the author herself.

4 TOWER BANK ARMS, HAWKSHEAD: Can be seen in one of the sketches for The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck.

5 LOWESWATER, NR COCKERMOUTH: Setting for several scenes in the film.

6 YEW TREE FARM, CONISTON: This picturesque farmhouse was owned by Beatrix and used as the screen location for Hill Top.

7 LINDETH HOWE: Beatrix fell in love with the place when she rented it as a holiday home, and bought it for her mother years later.

8 THE RUM STORY, WHITEHAVEN: Used as a setting in the movie for Beatrix's husband William Heelis's offices.

9 THE ARMITT COLLECTION, AMBLESIDE: Beatrix bequeathed this museum her collection of over 450 funghi, natural history and archaeology watercolours.

10 SETTLE-CARLISLE RAILWAY: This 72-mile journey takes in Arten Gill viaduct, one of the stunning locations used in Miss Potter.

11 KESWICK AND DERWENTWATER: Setting for a number of the books and characters, including Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle.

12 LOUGHRIGG TARN: One of the scenic film locations, it is situated in the fells between Grasmere and Elterwater, with views to the Langdale Pikes.

13 TARN HOWS: Bought by Beatrix in 1929 and now owned by the National Trust. Nearby fells feature in the film.

14 WINDERMERE: Features a number of connections, including Wray Castle, where Beatrix stayed on her first Lake District holiday.