Wordsworth House and Garden
Lake DistrictWilliam Wordsworth’s childhood home
Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX
Important notice
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 18 February 2026
Asset Opening time House Closed Garden Closed Whole property
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £6.60 £6.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £3.30 £3.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £16.50 £15.00 1 adult, 2 children £9.90 £9.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
- Audio guide
- Available for functions
- Bookshop
- Family friendly
- Guided tour
- Toilet
Lift to ground floor is available for guided tours and an accessible toilet.
- Accessible toilet
- Lift
- By road
- Off A66, on Cockermouth Main StreetParking: 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 houseSat 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
- Cycling
- The Sea to Sea (C2C) long-distance cycleway passes through Cockermouth, as does the Reivers Cycle Route.
Planning your visit
Upcoming events at Wordsworth House and Garden
Take a look at what's coming up in our events schedule
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.
Highlights
Riverside garden
Garden packed with 18th-century varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. The River Derwent runs behind William’s beloved terrace walk.
House
William Wordsworth’s childhood home is available to explore by guided tour, this Georgian townhouse is presented as it would have been when he lived here with his family.
Bookshop
Our free access bookstore is 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
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.
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.
Family-friendly things to do at Wordsworth House and Garden
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Wordsworth House and Garden in 2026, from nature trails to Georgian-inspired fun and games, there is something for everyone no matter the weather.
Top trails
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.
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.
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.
Upcoming events
Easter Egg Hunt at Wordsworth House and Garden
Join us for an Easter adventure at Wordsworth House and Garden. See what fun things you can discover whilst completing your trail in William and Dorothy's childhood garden and collecting your Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg.
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 accessible by guided tours, led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides, throughout the week. Please check timings on our webpages below. 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 is hands-on to make you feel at home. 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. Pre-booking is not needed, but timed tickets may operate on busy days.
History
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
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.
