Wordsworth House and Garden

Romantic poet William Wordsworth was born in this lovely Georgian townhouse, in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, over 250 years ago. Presented as it would have been when he lived here with his parents, siblings and the family servants, Wordsworth House and Garden offers an unforgettable chance for all ages to experience life in the 1770s.

The house is peopled by friendly, knowledgeable guides. There is real food on the dining table and a fire burning in the kitchen grate.

There is a daily children’s trail, and down in the cellar, the household’s ghosts are waiting to tell their stories. The exhibition rooms house a changing programme of displays.

This year's exhibition, 'Wildlife Encounters: An Exhibition of British Wildlife Photographs and the Tales behind them' presents intimate stories of interactions with animals across the UK’s varied landscape, this curation of striking photographs, paintings and poetry lays bare the complexity of contemporary human-wildlife relations.

In the downstairs discovery room, there is a permanent exhibition about William’s Lakeland legacy and his key role in the founding of the National Trust. Souvenirs and second-hand books are available in our visitor welcome area.

The beautiful riverside garden that gave William lifelong inspiration is packed with 18th-century varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers, and the River Derwent runs behind William’s beloved terrace walk. The visitor offer in the back rooms (excluding the exhibition space) is hands-on to make you feel at home.

In the front rooms there are no ropes and barriers, but we ask you not to touch the objects.

Pre-booking is not needed, but timed tickets may operate on busy days.

Charges: Adult £9, child £4.50, family £22.50, family with 1 adult £13.50. Gift Aid prices also available. National Trust members free.

Open: 25 March to 6 November, Saturday to Wednesday, 10am–4:30pm, house closes at 4pm.

Location

Wordsworth House and Garden is on Main Street, Cockermouth. We’re in the centre of town, so there’s no parking on site. The nearest public car park is 300 metres away across the River Derwent at Wakefield Road (Sat Nav CA13 0HR). Follow the signs for long-stay/coach parking, and it’s an easy walk back to the house across the footbridge.

Ghoulish ghouls or beastly boggarts?

Wordsworth House and Garden

After exploring the house and getting into the spirit of a Georgian All Hallows Eve, get spooky and creative in the Discovery Room by making yourself something scary to wear or decorate the house!

This event is suitable for the whole family.


Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire

Wordsworth House and Garden

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 


Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire

Wordsworth House and Garden

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 


Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire

Wordsworth House and Garden

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 


Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire

Wordsworth House and Garden

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 


Ghoulish ghouls or beastly boggarts?

Wordsworth House and Garden

After exploring the house and getting into the spirit of a Georgian All Hallows Eve, get spooky and creative in the Discovery Room by making yourself something scary to wear or decorate the house!

This event is suitable for the whole family.


Your enquiry will be sent directly to Wordsworth House and Garden. Please fill in as much detail as you can.

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Thank you. Your message has been sent!

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Romantic poet William Wordsworth was born in this lovely Georgian townhouse, in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, over 250 years ago. Presented as it would have been when he lived here with his parents, siblings and the family servants, Wordsworth House and Garden offers an unforgettable chance for all ages to experience life in the 1770s.

The house is peopled by friendly, knowledgeable guides. There is real food on the dining table and a fire burning in the kitchen grate.

There is a daily children’s trail, and down in the cellar, the household’s ghosts are waiting to tell their stories. The exhibition rooms house a changing programme of displays.

This year's exhibition, 'Wildlife Encounters: An Exhibition of British Wildlife Photographs and the Tales behind them' presents intimate stories of interactions with animals across the UK’s varied landscape, this curation of striking photographs, paintings and poetry lays bare the complexity of contemporary human-wildlife relations.

In the downstairs discovery room, there is a permanent exhibition about William’s Lakeland legacy and his key role in the founding of the National Trust. Souvenirs and second-hand books are available in our visitor welcome area.

The beautiful riverside garden that gave William lifelong inspiration is packed with 18th-century varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers, and the River Derwent runs behind William’s beloved terrace walk. The visitor offer in the back rooms (excluding the exhibition space) is hands-on to make you feel at home.

In the front rooms there are no ropes and barriers, but we ask you not to touch the objects.

Pre-booking is not needed, but timed tickets may operate on busy days.

Charges: Adult £9, child £4.50, family £22.50, family with 1 adult £13.50. Gift Aid prices also available. National Trust members free.

Open: 25 March to 6 November, Saturday to Wednesday, 10am–4:30pm, house closes at 4pm.

Location

Wordsworth House and Garden is on Main Street, Cockermouth. We’re in the centre of town, so there’s no parking on site. The nearest public car park is 300 metres away across the River Derwent at Wakefield Road (Sat Nav CA13 0HR). Follow the signs for long-stay/coach parking, and it’s an easy walk back to the house across the footbridge.

Ghoulish ghouls or beastly boggarts?


Wordsworth House and Garden
26 October - 29 March 2024

After exploring the house and getting into the spirit of a Georgian All Hallows Eve, get spooky and creative in the Discovery Room by making yourself something scary to wear or decorate the house!

This event is suitable for the whole family.

Full Details »

Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire


Wordsworth House and Garden
30 October 2024

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Full Details »

Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire


Wordsworth House and Garden
30 October 2024

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Full Details »

Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire


Wordsworth House and Garden
30 October 2024

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Full Details »

Spooky Cumbrian stories by the fire


Wordsworth House and Garden
30 October 2024

Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.

This event is suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Full Details »

Ghoulish ghouls or beastly boggarts?


Wordsworth House and Garden
02 - 03 November 2024

After exploring the house and getting into the spirit of a Georgian All Hallows Eve, get spooky and creative in the Discovery Room by making yourself something scary to wear or decorate the house!

This event is suitable for the whole family.

Full Details »

Your enquiry will be sent directly to Wordsworth House and Garden. Please fill in as much detail as you can.

Sorry, something went wrong.
Thank you. Your message has been sent!

To help us avoid spam, please answer the following question: