History
Saved from the wrecking ball
Rescued: Wordsworth House narrowly escaped demolition in 1937
© The National Trust
It is a minor miracle that the impressive townhouse we now know as Wordsworth House is still standing.
A happy Cumbrian childhood
William Wordsworth and his four siblings lived very happily in Cockermouth, and William later wrote fondly of his time in the town and playing in the surrounding countryside.
A servant's life
This section of the page features an image gallery, so if you're using a screen reader you may wish to jump to the main content.
-
William, the clerk
William, the clerk
Clerk William Arnott was the best paid and most educated of the Wordsworths’ servants. He lived off the premises with his own family, and carried out day-to-day administrative tasks for Mr Wordsworth.
-
Amy, the maid-of-all-work
Amy, the maid-of-all-work
The Wordsworths employed a maid-of-all-work called Amy, who worked impossibly long hours for just £4 a year.
-
Bill, the manservant
Bill, the manservant
The Wordsworths seem to have had trouble finding and hanging on to good male servants. Bill Nelson worked for them for two years before leaving and then returning shortly after.
-
Sally, the nurse
Sally, the nurse
Sally’s job was to look after the children from when they got up until they went to bed. She was paid a couple of shillings a week.
William, the clerk
Amy, the maid-of-all-work
Bill, the manservant
Sally, the nurse