LONDON, July 8 — Discovered by the House Manager during a routine clean, the secret drawings were tucked inside the pages of books at Melford Hall in southeast England, where the children's book writer Beatrix Potter would often spend her holidays between 1899-1916.

Melford Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk: Beatrix Potter, Line Drawing of Door. — AFP pic

Beatrix at Melford

Beatrix Potter was the cousin of Lady Ethel Hyde Parker, the grandmother of the present Baronet of Melford Hall, Sir Richard Hyde Parker. Due to the family connection, Beatrix spent much of her time at Melford Hall, and was often seen painting or sketching around the grounds. Her signature can be seen in the visitors' book on numerous occasions.

Melford Hall (Suffolk) is now owned by the National Trust, and is regularly open for visits from the general public as well as acting as a venue for a variety of events throughout the year. It is also home to the original Jemima Puddle-Duck, a toy that Beatrix gave to the children of the Hyde Parker family.

The tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck itself is said to have been based on real-life events that occurred back at Beatrix' home, Hill Top, in the Lake District, England.

Today, Melford Hall honours the writer with a Beatrix Potter Room, the old bedroom she would stay in during visits. There is also a model of Jemima Puddle-Duck.

Melford Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk: Beatrix Potter, Line Drawing of Fireplace. — AFP pic

The upcoming exhibition, "Beatrix Potter's Melford: Holiday Sketches 1899-1916,” will feature the new drawings, as well as her watercolors and sketches of the house. By happy coincidence, 2016 also marks the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birthday.

The four secret drawings

The sketches found hidden inside books are distinctly Beatrix Potter's style. Simple, yet with obvious attention to detail, they show regular, everyday objects: a bed, doorway, fireplace and rooftop.

Melford Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk: Beatrix Potter, Line Drawing of North Wing Roof. — AFP pic

The bedroom and stairs can be recognized as from a room known as "The Den" at Melford Hall, which burnt down in a fire in 1942.

While these four sketches are not featured in Beatrix Potter's books, there are several architectural details from Melford Halll that the writer did use as illustrations alongside characters such as Squirrel Nutkin and the Tailor of Gloucester.

"Beatrix Potter's Melford” opens July 13 and runs through the last weekend of October. A special Beatrix Potter birthday event is planned for July 28.

For more information, click here.  — AFP-Relaxnews