Wordsworth House and Garden

About

The boy who grew up to be one of the world’s best-loved nature poets and a pivotal figure behind the creation of the National Trust and the global conservation movement was born in this lovely Georgian townhouse 250 years ago.

A special exhibition, ‘The Child is Father of the Man’ (14 March-8 November), reveals how Wordsworth was shaped by the wild, outdoor upbringing he shared here with his beloved sister Dorothy and the trauma that subsequently shattered their happy existence.

Wordsworth House and Garden is Cumbria Tourism’s Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. With real food on the table and a real fire in the grate, it offers an unforgettable chance to experience life in the 1770s.

Take a guided or audio tour, listen to a talk or explore the working kitchen and other hands-on rooms at your own pace. Discover the weird and wonderful details of Georgian life, from what the Wordsworth family ate to how often they washed.

The children’s bedroom is full of toys and dressing up clothes. There is a daily trail, and holiday activities range from wild art workshops to family garden adventures.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays in term-time and throughout the holidays, the maids are hard at work – and always keen to stop for a chat.

The riverside garden that gave William lifelong inspiration is packed with 18th-century vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers, and there is a mini flock of heritage chickens in the small walled garden.

Round off your visit with a free cuppa and a homemade scone in the upstairs discovery room, then head to the gift shop to browse for books, treats and souvenirs.

The ground floor of the house plus the refreshment area, garden and shop are wheelchair accessible – the house and refreshment area via a lift. There is no wheelchair access to the upper floor of the house or the cellar.