Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth museum - two gems of Grasmere

By Amy Shadbolt

It is no wonder that Dove Cottage in Grasmere Village is where the great romantic poet, William Wordsworth, spent what is now known as his “Golden Decade.”

Situated in the hills of the Lake District, it is difficult to imagine a more picturesque place. Dove Cottage was Wordsworth’s home from 1799 to 1808, along with his sister, Dorothy, and it was here that some of his most famous Poems, including “Daffodils”, were written.

It has been perfectly preserved, with a welcoming atmosphere and informative tour guides.

Alongside the cottage, is the Wordsworth Museum which offers even more information about the man himself, and interactive exhibits, bringing to life the era and the life of the poet. The collection includes over 90 per cent of Wordsworth’s surviving manuscripts, along with those of his sister Dorothy, from her journals.

The museum also offers a bit more information about other residents of Dove Cottage, yet more Romantic Poets, who found inspiration in the cottage’s idyllic location. Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey, amongst others are explored in the museum, and the impressive collection is open to the public seven days a week.

I spoke to Michael McGregor, the director of the Wordsworth Trust, who told me “Wordsworth’s poetry is rooted in the landscape and people of the Lake District. Our aim here is to give people the chance to experience Wordsworth’s poetry.”  Mr McGregor would also like to see more local people supporting the Trust saying “people often don’t realise that Wordsworth is right on their doorstep.”


Also open until June, is the “Home within a Home” exhibition, which looks at the life of William Wordsworth and the Journals of Dorothy, who spent her time writing down Wordsworth’s poems as he dictated them. The Museum also offers free family activities in the summer holidays, and has frequent guest speakers and poetry workshops lead by the Poet in residence.

I would definitely recommend a visit to the cottage and museum, even if just to look at the amazing views and see why Wordsworth was so inspired to write such vivid poetry. Grasmere, in itself, is a beautiful place and Wordsworth’s history there is well worth learning about. 

Both the cottage and museum are open to the public, 9:30am – 5:30pm everyday, and I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to learn a little more about the amazing person Wordsworth was and how he came to be the literary legend he is today.