IT'S exactly 120 years since a rabbit named Peter first hopped onto the pages of ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’, so why not make his birthday year the time you explore some of Cumbria’s renowned Beatrix Potter attractions.

Later this summer The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness will be hosting the ‘Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit’ show from Saturday 18 June until Sunday 4 September.

There will be 3 performances each day, with characters including Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and Jemima Puddle-Duck being brought to life in this new production featuring beautifully handcrafted puppets and original songs.

Or why not head across to The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead, to see original Potter artwork from the National Trust’s extensive collection?

A new exhibition featuring her art, The Language of Flowers, also opens at the Gallery on Sunday 27 March and shows her talent as both an artist and scientist.

If you prefer, you could let the experts guide you, as Mountain Goat are bringing back Beatrix Potter’s Favourite Countryside tour from Saturday 26 March.

As well as Hawkshead and a cruise on Windermere, the route takes in some of Potter’s favourite Lake District countryside and her former home at Hill Top.

One of Beatrix Potter’s lesser-known homes is the Lingholm estate at Portinscale, where she spent ten summer holidays between 1885 and 1907. The current walled garden is on the exact spot of the old kitchen gardens, which Potter described as the inspiration for Mr McGregor’s garden in The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Today you can enjoy locally sourced food and drink in Lingholm Kitchen looking out across the garden and up to Skiddaw.

Potter also had an early connection to Wray Castle and a small gallery of lightboxes are being installed to celebrate Peter’s birthday year, showcasing photographs taken by Beatrix’s father Rupert.

Nearby Tarn Hows is another easily accessible location. It was purchased by Beatrix in 1929 and the 1.5 mile circular route around the tarn has plenty of picnic spots to enjoy the views, along with pram and wheelchair access. Free tramper mobility scooters are available to reserve in advance from The National Trust.

If you’re still on the search for Potter-theme treasures, there is also The Armitt Museum in Ambleside, which houses an array of interesting and unusual objects including Beatrix Potter’s fungi watercolours.

Wherever your Peter Rabbit journey takes you in 2022, see www.visitlakedistrict.com for more ideas and inspiration.