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Wordsworth Grasmere

Creative Tourist
Gareth Gardner

Nestled in the beautiful historic hamlet in Grasmere, overlooking the lake, sits Dove Cottage, home of the great English poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy. Here in the early 1800s, William Wordsworth wrote many of his greatest poems and his sister Dorothy kept her famous Grasmere journal, and Wordsworth Grasmere tells the story of this remarkable time in their lives. Discover Wordsworth’s radical and creative life in the Museum, enjoy views of Grasmere from the Viewing Station or visit the café, which serves locally sourced food and drink.

Regular events take place in situ and online, and include open mics, showcases by the Dove Cottage Poets writing group and contemporary poetry readings, often hosted by Forward Prize- winning Kim Moore (including the likes of George Szirtes and Holly Hopkins). As the website says: ‘From book launches to writing groups to poetry nights, there’s always something going on at Wordsworth Grasmere.’

Dove CottageGrasmereLA22 9SH View map
Telephone: 015394 35544 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Tuesday10:00am - 4:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 4:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 4:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 4:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Featured in

Literary places in Cumbria
Literary places in Cumbria

It was good enough for Wordsworth and Wainwright… From Kendal in the south to Carlisle in the north, we sniff out the best bookish shenanigans in Cumbria.

What's on near Wordsworth Grasmere

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FestivalsCumbria
Kendal Calling Festival 2024

Featuring over 200 artists and performers, immersive arts experiences and kids activities, Kendal Calling is a great, family-friendly festival set in the stunning Lake District.

from £199.00
Two men stand at railings with blue sky behind. Both are wearing sunglasses and one is leaning forward with his head under the top railing and laughing.
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LiteratureLancashire
Morecambe Poetry Festival 2024 at various venues

Our Tourist Telescope is set on the coast – more specifically, Morecambe Poetry Festival, back for a third year with an impressive line-up now spread over two venues: the wonderful Winter Gardens and upstairs at The King’s Arms.

from £65.00
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Where to go near Wordsworth Grasmere

Cumbria
Museum
The Wordsworth Museum

Next door to Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s first family home, is the Wordsworth Museum, which houses an unsurpassed collection of the Wordsworths’ letters, journals and poems.

Dove Cottage, Grasmere, image courtesy of venue
Cumbria
Museum
Dove Cottage

Dove Cottage is where William Wordsworth lived and wrote, and where the Wordsworth Trust continues that work today with poets in residence and public programmes.

Cumbria
Shop
Sam Read Bookseller

Award-winning small bookshop in the Lake District. Est. by Sam Read in 1887. Run by Will Smith and Polly Atkin.

Forest Side Restaurant
Cumbria
Restaurant
Forest Side Restaurant

We love the fantastic Forest Side Restaurant. Attached to the historic Forest Side Hotel in Grasmere, this is one of the best places to eat in Cumbria.

Allan Bank, Grasmere, image courtesy of Visit Cumbria
Cumbria
Museum
Allan Bank

Once home to William Wordsworth, this historic villa now combines a small, informal art gallery with a giant indoor mural space.

The Merzbarn today, courtesy Littoral Arts Trust
Cumbria
Gallery
Kurt Schwitters’ Merzbarn

Tucked away in a remote corner of the Lake District is Kurt Schwitter’s Merzbarn, an artistic epitaph to the avant garde ‘godfather of modern art’.

The Armitt Museum
Cumbria
Gallery
The Armitt Museum

Full of interesting and unusual objects, The Armitt is a museum that shares the history and heritage of Ambleside and its people.

Cumbria
Restaurant
Fellini’s

Fellini’s does fancy ‘Vegeterranean’ food and films. What better way to treat yourself after a hard tramp in the Lake District?

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Allan Bank, Grasmere, image courtesy of Visit Cumbria
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Cockermouth and West Cumbria

Our guide to West Cumbria, with its independent, industrial streak, and Wordsworth’s birthplace, Cockermouth.
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Our guide to the best things to do in the beautiful Eden Valley in Cumbria, which stretches from Sedbergh to Penrith.
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With the picturesque Lake District to the west and the sweeping ridge of the Pennines to the east, Penrith is a stunning cultural destination.

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In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.