Visiting the garden at Coleridge Cottage

The cobbled path through the garden, leading from the cottage to the wild garden Coleridge Cottage, Somerset — A cobbled path through the garden at Coleridge Cottage | © National Trust Images / Andreas von Einsiedel

Wander through the tranquil cottage garden used as a retreat and muse by celebrated poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the 18th century, re-opened for the first time in over 100 years in 2011. You can discover an orchard, bower and wildflower garden and find out more about what life was like when Coleridge lived here.

The cottage garden

Coleridge's writings show that he was an enthusiastic gardener, dreaming of growing food for his family, however his friends commented that he grew more weeds than vegetables.

Here at Coleridge Cottage, his 18th-century cottage garden has been recreated, using plants we know that the Coleridges grew.

The lime tree bower

Take a seat in the bower, handmade using wood from the nearby Quantock Hills, and enjoy the tranquility of what was once Coleridge’s cottage garden.

Benches beneath the trellis arch outside in the garden at Coleridge Cottage, Somerset — The trellis arch at Coleridge Cottage | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Garden Room

Recently restored, the Garden Room is a multifunctional space where you can learn more about how the wider landscape of the Quantocks inspired Coleridge’s poems.

Poetry audio posts

Immerse yourself in the intimate garden with a series of new audio posts. Listen to Coleridge's poetry in the places that first inspired his creativity.

Wildflower garden

Explore the meandering paths through the wildflower garden to the focal point of the lime tree and bower.

The garden team have planted wildflowers and orchard trees which will attract bees, butterflies and birds at different times throughout the year.

A view of the cottage and the rear garden at Coleridge Cottage, Somerset — The rear garden at Coleridge Cottage, Somerset | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Track down the wire animals

Coleridge kept animals in his garden, including geese, pigs and ducks. See if you can spot the various wire animals hiding amongst the wildflowers.

Look into the well

The historic well supplied the Coleridge family with water for drinking, washing, cooking and cleaning. It would have been quite a luxury to have one in the backyard.

Peer down into the depths of the well, but be careful not to fall in.