The history of the English Lake District is rich with literary history, the scenery having inspired the likes of Beatrix Potter, Samuel Taylor Coldridge, William Wordsworth and Arthur Ransome.
This self guided literary tour visits the sites in the Lake District which are associated with the poet William Wordsworth
Cockermouth: Wordsworth House
Start your tour in Cockermouth in the north west of the Lake District. It was here that Wiliam Wordsworth was born in 1770. He was the second eldest of 5 siblings, having three brothers and a sister. William Wordsworth's mother died when he was age 8. His father, grieving, felt that he could not cope with the older two boys and they were sent to the grammar school at Hawkshead. William's father died when he was 13
The property in which they lived is now known as Wordsworth House and is owned by the National Trust. It is open for visiting from April to November.
Follow the A66 to Keswick then the A591 South over Dunmail Raise to
Grasmere Village: Dove Cottage; Allen Bank; and the Family Graves at St Oswald's Church
There are four sites associated with William Wordsworth to visit on the stop in Grasmere:
Dove Cottage. William Wordsworth moved here in 1799 and remained until 1808. He married Mary Hutchinson and the first three of their children were born here John in 1803, Dora in 1804 and Thomas in 1806.
Dove Cottage is so named as it was previously a Inn the Dove and Olive Branch.
Dove cottage is now run as a museum and it is possible to visit all year round.
Allen Bank. After the birth of the three children William and Mary Wordsworth began to find Dove Cottage too small. They moved to Allen bank where they lived for two years until 1811.William and Mary Wordsworth had a further two children during this time William and Catherine.Allen Bank is a private house and not open to visitors. A public footpath however runs near to the property thus allowing a glimpse. The easiest route is to follow the footpath from the Easedale Road nearly opposite the driveway to the Youth Hostel.
Old Rectory: Opposite St Oswald's Church this was the Wordsworths last property in Grasmere. They stayed here for two years from 1811 -1813. The property at this time was damp and the Wordsworth's youngest two children Catherine and William died here. The Old Rectory is a private residence and not open to visitors, but the outside can be seen from the road.
St Oswald's is the parish church for Grasmere; William Wordsworth was buried here after his death on St Georges day April 23rd 1850. His headstone can be visited in the graveyard beside the church. On the same headstone is the name of his wife Mary who died 9 years later in 1859. Nearby are the graves for his sister Dorothy Wordsworth and his children Dora, William, Thomas and Catherine. It is easy to find the graves as they are well signposted when entering the church grounds.
Return to the car and for the next stop continue to drive South towards Ambleside on the A591. Rydal Mount will be found on the left before reaching Ambleside
Rydal Mount and Dora's Field
William Wordsworth lived at Rydal Mount from 1813 until his death in 1850. He converted the attic area to a workspace and it was here that he produced his works as Poet Laureate. Rydal Mount is open to visitors and may also be hired as a wedding venue.
Between Rydal Mount and the main road is the slopping Dora's Field. Originally William Wordsworth bought this plot of land intending to build a property, but after the death of his daughter Dora from TB when she was aged 42 he planted the area with thousands of daffodils as a tribute to her. Dora's field is now owned by the National Trust and is free to visit. The entrance to Dora's Field is found through by passing through the grounds of St Mary's Church, the church in which William Wordsworth was a church warden from 1833 - 1834. There is a memorial plaque to him.
Continue on the A591 to Ambleside. From Ambleside take the A593 to Coniston, then about 1 mile outside the town turn left onto the B5286 and follow this road to the village of Hawkshead
Hawkshead
From 1178 - 1787 William Wordsworth attended the Grammar School in Hawkshead. He is reported to have been very happy here recieving much encouragement to write from the headmaster.
The Old School is operated as a charitable trust, and visitors are welcome, with the proceeds of the trust helping the current youngsters of Hawkshead.
It is still possible to see William Wordsworth's name carved on the wooded desk.
During his time at the Grammar School William Wordsworth lodged with Lodged with Ann Tyson - Her house in the centre of the village of hawkshead is now operated as a bed and breakfast
Further Information About William Wordsworth
The Visit Cumbria website contains further information about each of the stops on this literary tour
Visit two sites which associated with William Wordsworth, but off the beaten track with Wordsworth Walks
Reference: Much of the factual information for this piece is published in "A Wordsworth Anthology" Helen Davies, Collins 1974
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