Wordsworth Museum

(See also Dove Cottage and Grasmere)

The Wordsworth Museum, on the grounds of Dove Cottage, was formerly a two-storey coach house. Dove Cottage was the home of the William, Dorothy, and Mary Wordsworth from December 1799 to May 1808.

In the museum's collection are the letters of William and Dorothy Wordsworth, poetic and prose works of Wordsworth, Dorothy Wordsworth's journals, the manuscripts of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a collection of the letters of Thomas De Quincey to the Wordsworths, the Spedding Papers (one of the family was a friend of Tennyson), notebooks belonging to the children of Dr Thomas Arnold (family friends of the Wordsworths), and other manuscripts.

Portraits, paintings, and other memorabilia complete the collection.
There are early views of Grasmere and the life of its people painted during Wordsworth's lifetime. Details of Wordsworth's life and his circle are found in the museum and comprise original manuscripts, rare books, and portraits of Wordsworth. Special exhibitions and events on cultural themes run throughout the year. A shop sells books, crafts, and gifts with Lake District and English literature themes.

Wordsworth Museum
Located on the A591 near the village of Grasmere.
Wordsworth Trust
Dove Cottage
Wordsworth Museum
Grasmere LA22 9SH
Tel 015394 35544
Fax. 015394 35748
Email: enquries@wordsworth.org.uk
Website: www.wordsworth.org.uk
Open daily 9:30am-5:30pm (last tour of Dove Cottage at 5pm). Closed 24-26 Dec. and Jan.
Tearoom.
Gift shop.
Ticket price includes the Museum and Dove Cottage.

Photo courtesy of Tony Richards

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