Wordsworth House and Garden

Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX, England
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

Wordsworth House and Garden is a historic Georgian townhouse where the famous poet William Wordsworth was born over 250 years ago. Located in Cockermouth, it offers a glimpse into 18th-century family life, presented as it would have been during Wordsworth’s childhood. With its charming house and riverside garden, it provides a peaceful and inspiring cultural experience.

Visitors can explore the house through guided tours, discovering original-style rooms and stories of the Wordsworth family and their servants. The riverside garden features 18th-century varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, along with family activities like story-making, quill writing, children’s trails and seasonal events such as the Georgian Easter Trail. Additional features include a free-access bookshop, interactive experiences for children, and scenic views along the River Derwent terrace walk. 

With Gift Aid, tickets cost £6.60 for adults, £3.30 for children (5–17), £16.50 for a family (2 adults and up to 3 children) and £9.90 for 1 adult with 2 children. Without Gift Aid, prices are £6.00 for adults, £3.00 for children, £15.00 for a family and £9.00 for 1 adult with 2 children, while under 5s go free. 

Wordsworth House and Garden offers a unique journey into the early life of one of England’s greatest poets. With guided tours, interactive activities and a beautiful historic garden, it is both educational and enjoyable for all ages. It is an ideal destination for literature lovers, families and anyone interested in history and culture.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

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 is accessible by guided tour, led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides. 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.

  • 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.
  • Guided House Tours: Discover the stories, spaces and spirit of the house on one of our guided tours, led by our dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer team. These tours offer a wonderful introduction to the history, people and places that shaped this special home, helping to bring its rooms and collections to life.

Facilities

  • Assistance dogs only
  • Audio guide
  • Available for functions
  • Bookshop
  • Family friendly
  • Guided tour
  • Toilet

What to see

Family Activities and Events for 2026

  • Get Interactive: When you first arrive, get into character and become a poet. Create your own story with the interactive story quilt or learn to write with a feather quill.
  • Discover the garden: Head into William's inspiring childhood garden for more fun and games. Once you've stretched your legs and run off some steam, stop and see what is growing. Count how many kinds of apple trees there are and what fruits and vegetables would have made their way to the kitchen table. Butterflies and honeybees also love to feast here and help make sure there is plenty of fruit for all.
  • Children's garden trails: Fletch the perch-crow will help you find his garden friends hiding around the house and amongst the flowers and vegetables in the garden. Don't forget to take your photo with Fletch when you discover him. Ask for a free trail at the front desk, included with admission.
  • Georgian Easter Trail: Follow in the footsteps of Wordsworth's children on an Easter trail around the garden at Wordsworth House and Garden, where the family once lived. The trail takes place between Monday 28 March - Sunday 12 April 2026, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, with last entry at 2:30pm, so pop in and explore.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

With Gift Aid

  • Adult (18+): £6.60
  • Child (5–17) under 5s free: £3.30
  • Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children): £16.50
  • 1 adult, 2 children: £9.90

Without Gift Aid

  • Adult (18+): £6.00
  • Child (5–17) under 5s free: £3.00
  • Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children): £15.00
  • 1 adult, 2 children: £9.00

Under 5s are free

Pricing URL: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wordsworth-house-and-garden

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

  • House: Open for tours
  • Garden: 10:00 - 16:00

Address: Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX, England

Post Code: CA13 9RX

Council: Cumberland

County: Cumbria

  • By Car: Off A66, on Cockermouth Main Street. 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 house.
  • By Foot: Close to town car parks and bus stop. Entrance on Main Street, not via side gate on Low Sand Lane. 
  • By Bus: X4 or X5 from Penrith, Keswick or Workington to Cockermouth
  • By Train: Workington 8 miles; Maryport 6½ miles

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