Wordsworth Grasmere

Dove Cottage, located in Grasmere, Cumbria, is a historic house best known as the home of the renowned poet William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy Wordsworth. The two siblings lived in the cottage from December 1799 to May 1808, spending over eight years in what Wordsworth described as “plain living, but high thinking.”

Built in the early 17th century, Dove Cottage was originally an inn called the “Dove and Olive.” After the Wordsworths moved in, they made several improvements to the cottage, including adding an extension to the rear of the house. The cottage was also a gathering place for other famous writers of the Romantic period, such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey.

Today, Dove Cottage is a popular tourist destination and a museum dedicated to the life and works of William Wordsworth. Visitors can tour the cottage and see many of the original furnishings and personal belongings of the Wordsworths, including the poet’s passport, a portrait of him given by Sir Walter Scott, and a pair of his spectacles. The museum also contains a collection of manuscripts, letters, and other memorabilia related to Wordsworth and his contemporaries.

History of Dove Cottage

Construction and Ownership

Dove Cottage is a 17th-century house located on the outskirts of Grasmere in the Lake District of England. Originally, it was an inn called the ‘Dove and Olive’ and operated for over 170 years. The cottage was constructed using traditional Lakeland stone and slate roofing.

It was purchased by William Wordsworth’s friend Thomas De Quincey in 1809, after the Wordsworths had moved out. The De Quincey family owned the cottage until 1890 when it was sold to the Wordsworth Trust, which now operates it as a museum.

Wordsworth’s Residence

William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy moved into Dove Cottage in December 1799. They lived there for over eight years, until May 1808. During this time, they referred to the cottage as a place of “plain living, but high thinking.”

Wordsworth wrote much of his famous poetry while living at Dove Cottage, including his “Ode: Intimations of Immortality” and “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.” Dorothy Wordsworth also wrote extensively about her experiences living in the cottage in her journals.

The cottage was a hub for the Romantic poets, and many famous writers and artists visited, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, and Sir Walter Scott.

In 1891, the Wordsworth Trust acquired the cottage and opened it to the public as a museum. Today, visitors can tour the cottage and see the rooms where the Wordsworths lived and worked. The museum also includes exhibits on the life and work of William Wordsworth and other Romantic poets.

Visiting Dove Cottage

Dove Cottage, located in Grasmere, is a must-visit destination for literature lovers and history enthusiasts. Here’s what you need to know before planning your visit.

Opening Times

Dove Cottage, Museum, Garden-Orchard, The Woodland and Shop

Current opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5pm (last entry to Dove Cottage is 4.20pm & to the Museum is 4.30pm).

The Café

Current opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5pm (last orders 4.30pm).

Our Café is at the heart of Wordsworth Grasmere and on the popular Coffin Route walk between Ambleside and Grasmere. It is the perfect place to rest weary limbs, grab a takeaway, take a break after visiting Dove Cottage or simply meet with friends.

The Café is open to all (muddy boots and paws welcome!), and there’s no need to purchase tickets for Dove Cottage to visit.  You could also visit the Gift Shop which is right next door.  Highchairs, toilets, accessible toilets and baby change facilities are available.

We can cater for most dietary requirements and offer options that are Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan.  If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, please speak to a member of staff. Please be aware that some allergens may be present in the preparation or serving food, therefore we cannot guarantee there has not been any cross contamination.

Ticket Prices

Visitors can purchase tickets on the day of their visit at the Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum reception. The admission fee includes access to both Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum.

Visitors can also purchase joint tickets for Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum with the Wordsworth Trust’s other properties, such as Rydal Mount and the Jerwood Centre. These tickets are valid for one year from the date of purchase and offer great value for money for frequent visitors.

It is recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during the peak season, to avoid long queues and disappointment. Visitors can book tickets online or by phone.

With its rich history and literary significance, a visit to Dove Cottage is a memorable experience that will leave visitors with a deeper appreciation of William Wordsworth’s life and works.

The Importance of Dove Cottage

Dove Cottage, located on the edge of Grasmere in the Lake District of England, is a place of great historical and literary significance. It was the home of the renowned poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy from 1799 to 1808, where they spent over eight years living a simple life, but producing some of the most influential works of the Romantic era.

Wordsworth’s Poetry

During their time at Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth produced some of the most famous and best-loved poems of his career. It was here that he wrote his masterpiece, “The Prelude,” which is considered to be one of the greatest works of English literature. Other notable poems that were written during his time at Dove Cottage include “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” “Tintern Abbey,” and “The Lucy Poems.” These works are known for their themes of nature, emotion, and imagination, which were central to the Romantic movement.

Influence on Romanticism

Dove Cottage played a crucial role in the development of the Romantic movement in literature. Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy were part of a group of writers and artists who lived in the Lake District during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They were inspired by the natural beauty of the area, and their works reflected a new emphasis on emotion, individualism, and the power of the imagination. The Romantic movement, which began in the late 1700s and continued into the mid-1800s, had a profound impact on literature, art, and culture in general, and Dove Cottage was at the heart of this movement.

Overall, Dove Cottage is a place of immense cultural and historical significance. It is a testament to the power of creativity and imagination, and it continues to inspire writers and artists to this day.