Explore Dove Cottage | Wordsworth Grasmere
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Archived: 2026-04-23 15:40
Explore Dove Cottage | Wordsworth Grasmere
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"I think these years have been the very happiest of my life"
Dorothy Wordsworth describing her time at Dove Cottage in a letter to Mrs Thomas Clarkson in 1805
Menu
Dove Cottage
Garden-Orchard & the Woodland
Museum
Dove Cottage
Step into another century as you experience William Wordsworth’s life at Dove Cottage. Wordsworth and his family lived in this humble Lake District cottage from 1799 to 1808.
Today, Dove Cottage has been brought back to life and the sights, sounds and smells evoke memories of over 200 years ago. Little moments taken from the
Wordsworths
’ poems, journals and letters have been recreated, telling the story of their life here. In this time of ‘plain living and high thinking’, the everyday mixed with the extraordinary. It was whilst living here, amongst the hustle and bustle
of daily life, that Wordsworth wrote many of his greatest poems and his sister Dorothy kept her fascinating Grasmere journal.
Plan your visit & book
"A lovely day. Read Boswell in the house in the morning, and after dinner under the bright yellow leaves of the orchard. The pear trees a bright yellow. The apple trees still green. A sweet lovely afternoon.... "
Dorothy Wordsworth, Sunday 14th September 1800, extract from her Grasmere journal
The Garden-Orchard & the Woodland
The Garden-Orchard behind Dove Cottage has been restored to resemble the ‘domestic slip of mountain’ that William and Dorothy lovingly created. Wordsworth described this humble fell-
side garden as ‘the loveliest spot man hath ever found’ and the feelings of joy, solace and inspiration it provided can still be felt in this special place. Whether you encounter bluebells in spring or snowdrops in winter, the Garden-Orchard is stunning in all seasons.
The Woodland is a wild space where you can play, explore and notice the little details in Nature that we might usually miss.
Plan your visit & book
This plot of orchard-ground is ours; My trees they are, my Sister’s flowers; Here rest your wings when they are weary; Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Museum
When William Wordsworth arrived in Grasmere aged 29, he was largely unknown and was writing innovative poetry that came as a shocking contrast to the fashionable verses of the time. His poetry centred on the ideals of love of Nature, the power of the imagination and the importance of empathy for others. This was
poetry for a new age, and his writing still has the power to speak to us today.
Our new Museum tells the story of Wordsworth’s radical and creative life through a collection of handwritten manuscripts, journals, letters, published poetry and personal items. It features contemporary voices from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to people living and working in Cumbria today.
There are hands-on things to do for all ages, including a working printing press and quill & ink writing. Finishing your visit atop the Viewing Station, take a moment to reflect and appreciate Grasmere Vale, which Wordsworth described as ‘paradise’.
Plan your visit & book
Want our news & events straight to your inbox?
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get in touch
Dove Cottage, Grasmere,
Cumbria,
LA22 9SH
t. +44(0)15394 35544
e.
enquiries@wordsworth.org.uk
About us
About the Wordsworth Trust
Our team
Our Trustees
Our President and Fellows
Our supporters
Our green story
Job opportunities
News
Rydal Mount
Quick links
Contact us
Privacy
Terms of use
Safeguarding policy
see you soon
Registered as a charity in England & Wales: 1066184 | Registered as a limited company: 3442086
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy
and
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apply.
© The Wordsworth Trust
Made with ♥ by Scratch Creative
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Visit
Plan your visit
Access
Families
Exclusive Experiences
Group visits
Schools
Universities
Explore
Dove Cottage, Garden-Orchard & Museum
The Café
Daffodil Trail
What’s on
What We Treasure
Daffodil Trail
Events
Wordsworth
The Man
The people
The place
The poetry
Learn
The collection
Blog
Online exhibitions
Dorothy Wordsworth Walks
Volunteering
Shop
Support
Donate now
Become a Friend
Become a Patron
Putting Wordsworth in your will
Donating from the USA?
For solicitors and executors
Responsible fundraising
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Skip to main content
Close Search
"I think these years have been the very happiest of my life"
Dorothy Wordsworth describing her time at Dove Cottage in a letter to Mrs Thomas Clarkson in 1805
Menu
Dove Cottage
Garden-Orchard & the Woodland
Museum
Dove Cottage
Step into another century as you experience William Wordsworth’s life at Dove Cottage. Wordsworth and his family lived in this humble Lake District cottage from 1799 to 1808.
Today, Dove Cottage has been brought back to life and the sights, sounds and smells evoke memories of over 200 years ago. Little moments taken from the
Wordsworths
’ poems, journals and letters have been recreated, telling the story of their life here. In this time of ‘plain living and high thinking’, the everyday mixed with the extraordinary. It was whilst living here, amongst the hustle and bustle
of daily life, that Wordsworth wrote many of his greatest poems and his sister Dorothy kept her fascinating Grasmere journal.
Plan your visit & book
"A lovely day. Read Boswell in the house in the morning, and after dinner under the bright yellow leaves of the orchard. The pear trees a bright yellow. The apple trees still green. A sweet lovely afternoon.... "
Dorothy Wordsworth, Sunday 14th September 1800, extract from her Grasmere journal
The Garden-Orchard & the Woodland
The Garden-Orchard behind Dove Cottage has been restored to resemble the ‘domestic slip of mountain’ that William and Dorothy lovingly created. Wordsworth described this humble fell-
side garden as ‘the loveliest spot man hath ever found’ and the feelings of joy, solace and inspiration it provided can still be felt in this special place. Whether you encounter bluebells in spring or snowdrops in winter, the Garden-Orchard is stunning in all seasons.
The Woodland is a wild space where you can play, explore and notice the little details in Nature that we might usually miss.
Plan your visit & book
This plot of orchard-ground is ours; My trees they are, my Sister’s flowers; Here rest your wings when they are weary; Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Museum
When William Wordsworth arrived in Grasmere aged 29, he was largely unknown and was writing innovative poetry that came as a shocking contrast to the fashionable verses of the time. His poetry centred on the ideals of love of Nature, the power of the imagination and the importance of empathy for others. This was
poetry for a new age, and his writing still has the power to speak to us today.
Our new Museum tells the story of Wordsworth’s radical and creative life through a collection of handwritten manuscripts, journals, letters, published poetry and personal items. It features contemporary voices from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to people living and working in Cumbria today.
There are hands-on things to do for all ages, including a working printing press and quill & ink writing. Finishing your visit atop the Viewing Station, take a moment to reflect and appreciate Grasmere Vale, which Wordsworth described as ‘paradise’.
Plan your visit & book
Want our news & events straight to your inbox?
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get in touch
Dove Cottage, Grasmere,
Cumbria,
LA22 9SH
t. +44(0)15394 35544
e.
enquiries@wordsworth.org.uk
About us
About the Wordsworth Trust
Our team
Our Trustees
Our President and Fellows
Our supporters
Our green story
Job opportunities
News
Rydal Mount
Quick links
Contact us
Privacy
Terms of use
Safeguarding policy
see you soon
Registered as a charity in England & Wales: 1066184 | Registered as a limited company: 3442086
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Service
apply.
© The Wordsworth Trust
Made with ♥ by Scratch Creative
youtube
tripadvisor
Close Menu
Visit
Plan your visit
Access
Families
Exclusive Experiences
Group visits
Schools
Universities
Explore
Dove Cottage, Garden-Orchard & Museum
The Café
Daffodil Trail
What’s on
What We Treasure
Daffodil Trail
Events
Wordsworth
The Man
The people
The place
The poetry
Learn
The collection
Blog
Online exhibitions
Dorothy Wordsworth Walks
Volunteering
Shop
Support
Donate now
Become a Friend
Become a Patron
Putting Wordsworth in your will
Donating from the USA?
For solicitors and executors
Responsible fundraising
youtube
X