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William Wordsworth’s childhood home
Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX
Asset | Opening time |
---|---|
House | 10:00 - 16:00 |
Garden | 10:00 - 16:30 |
Ticket type | Gift aid | Standard |
---|---|---|
Adult | £9.90 | £9.00 |
Child | £5.00 | £4.50 |
Family | £24.80 | £22.50 |
Lift to ground floor, first floor accessible only by stairs. Free audio tour for visitors unable to access first floor. Accessible toilet.
Off A66, on Cockermouth Main Street
Parking: No on-site parking. Use town centre car parks (not National Trust). Closest is long-stay car park signposted as coach park, 300 yards away on Wakefield Road, CA13 0HR. Walk back over footbridge to house
Sat Nav: CA13 9RX. Entrance on Main Street, not side gate on Low Sand Lane
Close to town car parks and bus stop. Entrance on Main Street, not via side gate on Low Sand Lane
Workington 8 miles; Maryport 6½ miles
X4 or X5 from Penrith, Keswick or Workington to Cockermouth
Discover more about arranging your group or school visit to William Wordsworth’s childhood home, from what to see and do, to how to make a booking.
Take a look at what's coming up in our events schedule
What could be more romantic than to get married in the birthplace of one of the world’s greatest poets? Find out all you need to know about holding your wedding at Wordsworth House.
William Wordsworth’s childhood home, this Georgian townhouse is presented as it would have been when he lived here with his family
Garden packed with 18th-century varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. The River Derwent runs behind William’s beloved terrace walk.
Stocked full of pre-loved good-quality books, an eclectic range from crime to cooking, biographies, craft and a children’s section.
Explore Wordsworth House and Garden, the Georgian townhouse which was the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy.
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Wordsworth House and Garden this summer, from animal inspired arts and crafts to Georgian-inspired fun and games in the house, there is something for everyone no matter the weather.
Wordsworth House’s walled heritage garden, where William learned his love of nature, is filled with the colours, scents and sounds of the season.
A scenic walk through the quiet countryside of the North Lakes starting from Wordsworth House in Cockermouth – birthplace and childhood home of the poet William Wordsworth.
Mark the life of Dorothy Wordsworth by making the journey from her birthplace in Cockermouth to the place where she died in Rydal.
Discover Dorothy Wordsworth's 250th anniversary cycling trail from her birthplace in Cockermouth to where she died at Rydal in the Lake District.
A ‘stone tent’ warmed by a log-burner, set just metres from the shores of Loweswater.
Period features throughout in this spacious farmhouse on the shores of Loweswater.
Come and wonder at the striking wildlife of the British Isles as portrayed by local photographers Rosamund and John Macfarlane.
Get crafty and creative with inspiration from our exhibition on British wildlife!
Visit the house and garden free of charge and listen to a special talk to celebrate Heritage Open Day.
Join Andrea Meanwell as she shares her stories and vision for the future of farming in the Lake District.
Enjoy some much-loved poems around the house to celebrate National Poetry Day.
After exploring the house and getting into the spirit of a Georgian all Hallows eve, get creative by making yourself something scary to wear or decorate the house!
Join Jessie McMeekin as she tells tales by the kitchen fire to horrify and delight you.
Romantic poet William Wordsworth was born in this lovely Georgian townhouse, in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, over 250 years ago. Presented as it would have been when he lived here with his parents, siblings and the family servants, Wordsworth House and Garden offers an unforgettable chance for all ages to experience life in the 1770s.
The house is peopled by friendly, knowledgeable guides. There is real food on the dining table and a fire burning in the kitchen grate.
There is a daily children’s trail, and down in the cellar, the household’s ghosts are waiting to tell their stories. The exhibition rooms house a changing programme of displays.
This year's exhibition, 'Wildlife Encounters: An Exhibition of British Wildlife Photographs and the Tales behind them' presents intimate stories of interactions with animals across the UK’s varied landscape, this curation of striking photographs, paintings and poetry lays bare the complexity of contemporary human-wildlife relations.
In the downstairs discovery room, there is a permanent exhibition about William’s Lakeland legacy and his key role in the founding of the National Trust. Souvenirs and second-hand books are available in our visitor welcome area.
The beautiful riverside garden that gave William lifelong inspiration is packed with 18th-century varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers, and the River Derwent runs behind William’s beloved terrace walk. The visitor offer in the back rooms (excluding the exhibition space) is hands-on to make you feel at home.
In the front rooms there are no ropes and barriers, but we ask you not to touch the objects.
Pre-booking is not needed, but timed tickets may operate on busy days.
Discover the history of William Wordsworth’s childhood home, which was a place of both great happiness and sorrow, and learn how it was saved from complete destruction.
In collaboration with family history website Findmypast, we’ve explored the 1921 Census of England and Wales and unearthed the fascinating history of those who have lived and worked here, helping us to get closer to the lives of people at Wordsworth House. Delve into the records and learn about the long medical tradition of the House and the deep community commitment of its physicians. By clicking this link, you’ll access a third-party website. Please see their privacy policy for how they handle your personal data.
Find out about the important conservation work that goes on behind the scenes at Wordsworth House and Garden.
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Wordsworth House and Garden on the National Trust Collections website.
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Wordsworth House and Garden.
Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.