Family-friendly things to do at Wordsworth House and Garden

Children cooking at Wordsworth House, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/Jonathan McMeekin

Whatever the weather, there is always plenty to keep families busy at Wordsworth House and Garden. Step back through time for some Georgian-inspired fun and games, explore the many interactive rooms before taking a walk on the wild side in the garden. Find out what else is on offer and the details you need to plan your family visit.

Wordsworth House and Garden is now closed for the season.

Please be advised that we are now closed for the season. We look forward to welcoming you back on Saturday 29 March, 2025.

Planning your visit

Baby-changing facilities available
Pushchairs can be used in the garden and hip seats are available for use in the house
Many local cafés to choose from in easy walking distance.

Family-friendly events

We are currently organizing new exciting family friendly events and activities for the 2025 season. Check back next year to see what we have in store for you.

Activities run from Saturday to Wednesday in the school holidays and are free with admission to the house and garden.

N.B. Please call ahead if you are coming specially for an activity as, due to staffing issues, we sometimes have to cancel.

Children's trails through the house and garden

Saturdays to Wednesdays

Ask for a trail at the front desk to explore the house and garden.

Take a tour

Tuesdays

Times: 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

Take in a tour to learn about the joys and sorrows of the Wordsworth family and life in Georgian times.

A boy plays with a wooden toy while dressed up in Georgian clothing in the children's bedroom at Wordsworth House and Garden — Playing in the children's bedroom at Wordsworth House and Garden | © Melinda Gilhen-Baker

Family-friendly things to do in the house

Exploring the rooms

Step into the world of William and Dorothy’s childhood and explore the rooms they filled with play and laughter. See what life was like in the 18th century and how much things have changed, or have stayed the same. Can you spot all the flowers carved into the mouldings or embroidered on chairs?

Get interactive

When you first arrive, get into character and become a poet. Create your own story with the interactive story quilt or learn to write with a feather quill. There’s always something happening in the cosy working kitchen as well. Smell the exotic spices in the many jars and pots or have a go at grinding oatmeal in the giant pestle and mortar.

Up the stairs you’ll find the children’s bedroom, where you can dress up in Georgian costume and play with traditional toys.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

If the sun is out, head into William’s inspiring childhood garden for more fun and games. Once you've stretched your legs and run off some steam, stop and see what is growing.

Count how many kinds of apple trees there are and what fruits and vegetables would have made their way to the kitchen table. Butterflies and honeybees also love to feast here and help make sure there is plenty of fruit for all.

A potted marigold and a decorative garden slate on the raised terrace in the garden at Wordsworth House, Cockermouth. The verse on the slate reads 'a soft sky was among the hills and summer sunshine above'. — Decorative slates and plant pots in the garden at Wordsworth House | © Anna Place

'50 things to do before you’re 11¾'

How many items have you ticked off your '50 things' list so far? The garden at Wordsworth House offers the perfect chance for more. Try a few of our suggestions to ge you started:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: Whether they're in full bloom or starting to bear tiny apples or pears, get to know one of our many fruit trees
No. 18 Create some wild art: Using fallen petals, leaves, stones and sticks
No. 25 Join nature's band: Sing along with the birds, bees and rustling leaves
No. 33 Go cloud watching: When it’s time for a rest, relax and look up at the clouds to see if they truly are, in Wordsworth's words, 'as lonely as a cloud'.