Family-friendly things to do at Wordsworth House and Garden

Children dressed in Georgian dress up clothes playing with a wooden bowling set in the garden at Wordsworth House and Garden — Playing Georgian games in the garden | © National Trust Images / Jonathan Mckmeekin

Whatever the weather, there is always plenty to keep families busy at Wordsworth House and Garden. Step back through time for some Georgian-inspired fun and games, explore the many interactive rooms before taking a walk on the wild side in the garden. Find out what else is on offer and the details you need to plan your family visit.

Wordsworth House and Garden is now closed for the season.

Please be advised that we are now closed for the season. We look forward to welcoming you back on Saturday 29 March, 2025.

Planning your visit

Baby-changing facilities available
Pushchairs can be used in the garden and hip seats are available for use in the house
Many local cafés to choose from in easy walking distance.

Family-friendly events

Activities run from Saturday to Wednesday in the school holidays and are free with admission to the house and garden. Keep checking our website as we add more exciting events throughout the year.

N.B. Please call ahead if you are coming specially for an activity as, due to staffing issues, we sometimes have to cancel.

Children's trails through the house and garden

Saturdays to Wednesdays

Fletch the perch-crow will help you find his garden friends hiding around the house and amongst the flowers and vegetables in the garden. Don’t forget to take your photo with Fletch when you discover him. Ask for a free trail at the front desk, included with admission.

Easter holidays

Happy Birthday William!

Monday 7 April, 10am to 4pm

Wish William a Happy Birthday and celebrate his 255th birthday. Make a Daffodil Birthday Card in the Discovery Room, Free with admission.

Easter Egg Hunt

Monday 14 April to Monday 21 April including B.Hol Weekend (not Thurs 17th Apr)

This spring, discover a world of family-friendly adventure at Wordsworth House and Garden on our Easter trail. Explore William’s childhood home and make your way around the house and garden, with 10 different fun nature activities for you to try along the way. Complete the trail and earn your chocolate egg at the end. Click on the link above for more information.

Rucksack of Rhymes: Our Planet

Tuesday 8 April 2pm to 3pm (0-5 years) and 3pm to 4pm (5+)

Join the team from Wordsworth Grasmere on site for songs, play, craft and a story exploring our planet, and on the way learn what life was like for William and Dorothy Wordsworth when they lived at Wordsworth House and Dove Cottage right here on Earth over 200 years ago.

Free with admission, but pre-booking advised. Follow the links above for more information.

May half term events

Plant a seed

Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May. Drop in 10.30-3.30 (Bank Holiday Weekend)

Drop into our Discovery room this bank holiday weekend and plant a seed to take home and grow a pretty seasonal flower for your garden. Decorate you pot to make it extra special.

Two children doing Easter crafts in the kitchen at Wordsworth House and Garden — Easter crafts in the kitchen at Wordsworth House and Garden | © Melinda Gilhen-Baker

Family-friendly things to do in the house

Exploring the rooms

Step into the world of William and Dorothy’s childhood and explore the rooms they filled with play and laughter. See what life was like in the 18th century and how much things have changed, or have stayed the same. Can you spot all the flowers carved into the mouldings or embroidered on chairs?

Get interactive

When you first arrive, get into character and become a poet. Create your own story with the interactive story quilt or learn to write with a feather quill. There’s always something happening in the cosy working kitchen as well. Smell the exotic spices in the many jars and pots or have a go at grinding oatmeal in the giant pestle and mortar.

Up the stairs you’ll find the children’s bedroom, where you can dress up in Georgian costume and play with traditional toys.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden

If the sun is out, head into William’s inspiring childhood garden for more fun and games. Once you've stretched your legs and run off some steam, stop and see what is growing.

Count how many kinds of apple trees there are and what fruits and vegetables would have made their way to the kitchen table. Butterflies and honeybees also love to feast here and help make sure there is plenty of fruit for all.

Two children play traditional garden games on the lawn in the garden at Wordsworth House in spring by the apple tree — Children enjoy Georgian inspired fun and games on the lawn | © Melinda Gilhen-Baker

'50 things to do before you’re 11¾'

How many items have you ticked off your '50 things' list so far? The garden at Wordsworth House offers the perfect chance for more. Try a few of our suggestions to ge you started:

No. 1 Get to know a tree: Whether they're in full bloom or starting to bear tiny apples or pears, get to know one of our many fruit trees
No. 18 Create some wild art: Using fallen petals, leaves, stones and sticks
No. 25 Join nature's band: Sing along with the birds, bees and rustling leaves
No. 33 Go cloud watching: When it’s time for a rest, relax and look up at the clouds to see if they truly are, in Wordsworth's words, 'as lonely as a cloud'.