The Lake District, Wordsworth & Potter

Wordsworth Dove Cottage - Garden, Orchard and the Woodland

Step into another century as you experience William Wordsworth’s life at Dove Cottage. Wordsworth and his family lived in this humble Lake District cottage from 1799 to 1808. 

Today, Dove Cottage has been brought back to life and the sights, sounds and smells evoke memories of over 200 years ago. Little moments taken from the Wordsworths’ poems, journals and letters have been recreated, telling the story of their life here.  It was whilst living here, amongst the hustle and bustle of daily life, that Wordsworth wrote many of his greatest poems and his sister Dorothy kept her fascinating Grasmere journal.

Wordsworth Museum

Wordsworth's poetry centred on the ideals of love of Nature, the power of the imagination and the importance of empathy for others. This was poetry for a new age, and his writing still has the power to speak to us today. 

The new Museum tells the story of Wordsworth’s radical and creative life through a collection of handwritten manuscripts, journals, letters, published poetry and personal items. 

Ambleside - Rydal Mount and Dora's Field

Rydal Mount, in the heart of the English Lake District, lies between Ambleside and Grasmere and commands glorious views of Windermere, Rydal Water and the surrounding fells. Wordsworth’s loved family home for the greater part of his life, from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80.The house, which was a focus for romantic literature, continues to be owned by the Wordsworth family and retains the feel of a lived-in family home.

After his daughter Dora died in 1847, William went down to the field between Rydal Mount and the main road, and together with his wife, sister and gardener, planted hundreds of daffodils as a memorial to Dora.

Dora’s Field now belongs to the National Trust who maintain it, and have placed benches around the little field.                                        ©National Trust Images/Pete Tasker

Lake Windermere, HIll Top, and Beatrix Potter Gallery - Hawkshead

Hill Top is a time capsule of this amazing woman's life. Full of her favourite things, the house appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to a picture in a 'Tale'. Beatrix used Hill Top and its surroundings as inspiration for many of her 'little books' - you'll recognise the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck laid her egg and the garden where Tom Kitten and his sisters played!     ©National Trust Images/James Dobson

Visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery where her artwork is on display in a 17th century house.

Windemere | Derwent Water | Ullswater

Also visit other beautiful lakes and perhaps take a cruise.

The above are suggested excursions