Family-friendly things to do at Wordsworth House and Garden

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.

'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'.