Dove Cottage
In 1799, William and his sister, Dorothy, returned to the Lake District and arrived in Grasmere, moving in to Dove Cottage. Prior to this, they had spent much of their time apart, but now, aged nearly 30, they settled down to enjoy a quiet life together. He described Grasmere as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’ and both were greatly inspired by the place and its surroundings. Dorothy wrote her Grasmere Journal here and in the upstairs sitting room, William wrote some of his best-loved poems, including ‘The Daffodils’.
Things changed when in 1802, William married his childhood friend, Mary Hutchinson and she moved into Dove Cottage with them. They were joined by three children born within four years- John, Dora and Thomas. Visitors such as Coleridge, Sir Walter Scott and Thomas De Quincy who leased the cottage after the Wordsworth’s left in 1808.
In 2020, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of his birth, the Wordsworth Trust opened ‘Reimagining Wordsworth’ here, aiming to tell the story of his life differently. Having visited the cottage both before and after this transformation, I feel this has been sensitively done, offering visitors a very engaging and informative experience.
The cottage is presented as it would have been over 200 years ago, each room full of the mundane objects of the everyday, but also with replicas of their letters, diaries and poems, showing the other side of their lives here.
The garden has been carefully restored to resemble the one which Dorothy and William created during their time here with the Woodland being a wild space, perfect for playing in nature.
A new museum space has been added, offering a collection of handwritten manuscripts, journals, letters, published poetry and personal items as well as contemporary voices. Here, hands-on experiences are included to engage visitors of all ages. A panoramic viewing platform offers beautiful views of Grasmere Vale and the cafe offers a warm welcome whatever the weather and however muddy your boots!
Dove Cottage,
Town End,
Grasmere,
Ambleside LA22 9PP
An excellent introduction to the life and work of Wordsworth is ‘The Wordsworths: The Lake District and their life at Dove Cottage’ by Mick Manning and Britta Granstrom. Told through Dorothy’s voice, it is full of evocative illustrations.
The Wordsworths: The Lake District and their life at Dove Cottage
Mick Manning and Britta Granstrom
Franklin Watts ISBN: 978-1445185514
