A WORLD-FAMOUS attraction is celebrating two special birthdays next week.

The iconic World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Windermere, will mark its official 30th birthday on Wednesday, July, 28 – the same day as Beatrix Potter’s birth, 155 years ago.

Drawing visitors from across the globe for three decades the attraction is an integral part of tourists’ Lake District experience.

And over the last 30 years, the attraction has expanded to include the Old Laundry Theatre, the Laundrama studio for events, two gift shops, a cafe and an e-commerce unit.

To celebrate its special milestone the attraction is holding a host of activities throughout the summer, including celebration tea parties with Peter Rabbit, a display of show puppets from the international touring theatre production ‘Where is Peter Rabbit?’, which are visible to the public for this summer only.

And fans young and old can pose with their favourite characters including Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-winkle, Mr Tod, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Tommy Brock for the perfect photo opportunity.

Exciting plans are also afoot for the world premiere of a brand-new theatre show ‘Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit’.

When director Roger Glossop opened the doors of the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction for the first time almost 30 years ago, he worried whether anyone would turn up to see the displays showcasing Potter’s characters and landscapes.

But he need not have worried and was stunned when 700 people flocked through the doors.

“I thought we would close after the first day. It’s all been a big surprise, a wonderful surprise,” he said.

“You build something never expecting that it will still be going almost 30 years later. It’s just brilliant.

“We couldn’t have aligned our creative and business life with a more original, entrepreneurial and visionary woman.”