Beatrix Potter's 160th birthday marked by murals and celebrations in England

July 28 marks the 160th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birth in South Kensington, London (28 July 1866). To honor the famed author and illustrator, a series of events have been launched across England. Murals depicting her beloved characters—including Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle‑Duck and Squirrel Nutkin—were unveiled in Carlisle, chosen for its proximity to the Lake District, which Potter helped preserve with her book royalties.

Further celebrations include an art‑trail of Peter Rabbit sculptures running from 15 July to 14 September in Newcastle and North Tyneside, crochet “yarn‑bombing” installations, character walls in Southwark and Kensington, and an afternoon tea inspired by Potter at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London. Penguin Random House Children’s is releasing new picture‑book editions and formats, while her longtime publisher Frederick Warne & Co continues to promote her legacy.

Potter’s early life, her breakthrough with *The Tale of Peter Rabbit* in 1902, and her later purchase of the Lake District farm Hill Top remain central to the commemorations, underscoring her lasting influence on children’s literature and conservation.