The Lake District has so much to offer tourists and visitors alike, from beautiful scenery to high-end restaurants. Whether you’re a family, on a romantic getaway or looking to explore the countryside, you will never fall short of activities with a trip to the Lakes.
We love showcasing all there is to do in the areas surrounding our luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District. In this series, we will be featuring some of the incredible attractions that bring visitors from far and wide to the Lake District, starting with the iconic Wordsworth House and Gardens.
Whilst many may remember the great English Poet from their studies at school, people often forget that William Wordsworth was born and raised in the Lake District. His home, from childhood, can be visited in Cockermouth, whilst his adult dwellings can be found in Grasmere and Ambleside.
Most well-known for his beautiful poem, Daffodils, William and fellow author Samuel Taylor Coleridge encouraged the beginning of the romantic era of English Literature with their publication Lyrical Ballads. This collaboration of poetry is still studied and setting the standard in modern literature.
Only a stone's throw away from our dog friendly cottages in the Lake District, Wordsworth's birthplace is situated against the backdrop of the picturesque town of Cockermouth, Cumbria. The house was home to Wordsworth and his family from 1765 until 1783. Wordsworth and his siblings suffered the tragic loss of their parents, their mother in 1778 and their father in 1783, which led them to leave the family home. Many other families lived there before it was finally bought and donated to the National Trust, which maintains and cares for it as part of England’s heritage. It is now established as a Grade I listed building and has been transformed into a museum and testament to the life of the romantic poet.
Inside, the home has been recreated to replicate how historians believe the house would have looked back in the late 1700s, complete with real food on the table, bedrooms with toys from the period, and in the cellar, ghosts are waiting to tell their stories. The gardens are filled with vegetables you would expect from the 18th Century, and entry to the house is free for any member of the National Trust.
Volunteers are on hand to answer any questions and show you around the historic home of William Wordsworth. There are tours and talks throughout the week and many activities for youngsters in the garden. During the school holidays on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you will find costumed housemaids hard at work.
If you find yourself intrigued by the life of William Wordsworth after a visit to the Wordsworth House and Gardens, you may consider visiting other attractions which have connections to the English poet.
Dove Cottage in Grasmere is where Wordsworth wrote most of his famous poetry during his eight-year residence with his sister Dorothy, including the famous Daffodils. This home is now also a Grade I Listed building and houses a museum, maintained to resemble the cottage as it would have been when Wordsworth and his family lived there.
Another fitting visit to further explore in Grasmere are the Daffodil gardens. Created by a group of volunteers in 2003, this testament to the writer features thousands of yellow daffodils and is best visited from late March to April when the flowers are in full bloom. It is also the location of the poet's modest grave, which overlooks the countryside he so dearly loved.
Finally, the last attraction to visit is Rydal Mount and Gardens, yet another beautiful home of the great William Wordsworth. Unlike the other properties, this historical building remains a lived-in family home. However, the impressive 4-acre gardens are precisely how Wordsworth designed them with his love of landscaping, filled with daffodils, bluebells and rhododendrons. It is undoubtedly worth the visit.
Our group accommodation in the Lake District, such as Helm Mount Lodge, is a one hour drive from Wordsworth House in Cockermouth and a 40-minute drive to Dove Cottage, making it an ideal place to stay if you are looking for the Wordsworth attractions for a group.
Of course, when taking the day to visit Cockermouth, you may find yourself looking for somewhere to eat. Luckily the local area is surrounded by great restaurants and cafés for smaller bites.
On your journey, you will pass by the beautiful town of Kendal, which is home to a great range of cafés and restaurants such as Romney’s, home to a delicious four meat carvery at weekends. Alternatively, in Cockermouth, the Castle Bar offers vegetarian and vegan dishes and is recommended as a pub catering to all tastes of high-quality food.
In Grasmere, you could continue the Wordsworth theme with a visit to The Wordsworth Signature Restaurant. They offer a selection of beautiful meals for most dietary requirements and a wide variety of classic dishes.
With beautiful holiday cottages across the Lake District, we offer a getaway for everyone. From romantic cottages in the Lake District with a hot tub to secluded hideaways with great walking routes nearby, we have accommodation to suit every need. You can book our cottages through our website, or feel free to contact us direct.
