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Wordsworth House and Garden
William Wordsworth’s childhood home
Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX
Important notice
Wordsworth House and Garden is now closed for the season so that we may continue with important conservation work. We look forward to welcoming you again from Monday 25 March, 2024.
Opening times for 5 December 2023
Asset Opening time House Closed Garden Closed MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedWhole property
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £9.40 £8.50 Child £4.70 £4.25 Family £23.40 £21.25 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Book shop
Audio guide
Guided tour
Available for functions
Toilet
Lift to ground floor, first floor accessible only by stairs. Free audio tour for visitors unable to access first floor. Accessible toilet.
Accessible toilet
Lift
By road
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
On foot
Close to town car parks and bus stop. Entrance on Main Street, not via side gate on Low Sand Lane
By train
Workington 8 miles; Maryport 6½ miles
By bus
X4 or X5 from Penrith, Keswick or Workington to Cockermouth
Planning your visit
Article
Group and educational visits to Wordsworth House
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.
Upcoming events at Wordsworth House and Garden
Take a look at what's coming up in our events schedule
Venue hire
Article
Weddings at Wordsworth House and Garden
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.
Highlights
House
William Wordsworth’s childhood home, this Georgian townhouse is presented as it would have been when he lived here with his family
Riverside garden
Garden packed with 18th-century varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. The River Derwent runs behind William’s beloved terrace walk.
Bookshop
Stocked full of pre-loved good-quality books, an eclectic range from crime to cooking, biographies, craft and a children’s section.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do at Wordsworth House and Garden
Explore Wordsworth House and Garden, the Georgian townhouse which was the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Wordsworth House and Garden
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Wordsworth House and Garden this autumn, from scary crafts and spooky stories by the fire to Georgian-inspired fun and games in the house, there is something for everyone no matter the weather.
Article
Visiting the garden at Wordsworth House
Wordsworth House’s walled heritage garden, where William learned his love of nature, is filled with the colours, scents and sounds of the season.
Top trails
Trail
Wordsworth House countryside walk
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.
Trail
Dorothy Wordsworth walking trail
Mark the life of Dorothy Wordsworth by making the journey from her birthplace in Cockermouth to the place where she died in Rydal.
Trail
Dorothy Wordsworth cycling trail
Discover Dorothy Wordsworth's 250th anniversary cycling trail from her birthplace in Cockermouth to where she died at Rydal in the Lake District.
Places to stay
Holme Wood Bothy
A ‘stone tent’ warmed by a log-burner, set just metres from the shores of Loweswater.
Watergate Farm
Period features throughout in this spacious farmhouse on the shores of Loweswater.
About Wordsworth House and Garden
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.
In 2023 we have a special exhibition "Much favor'd in my birthplace": memories of a house and a town with stories and memories of the life and times in Cockermouth. 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.
History
Article
History of Wordsworth House
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.
Unearthing Wordsworth House’s history with Findmypast
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.
Our work
Article
Winter conservation at Wordsworth House and Garden
Find out about the important conservation work that goes on behind the scenes at Wordsworth House and Garden.
Art and collections
Wordsworth House and Garden’s objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Wordsworth House and Garden on the National Trust Collections website.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Wordsworth House and Garden.