Wordsworth House
The Lakeland poet William
Wordsworth (1770 - 1850) and his sister Dorothy were born in their father John Wordsworth's large imposing Georgian house in Cockermouth's main street.
The house, which overlooks the River Derwent, is now owned by the National Trust and furnished in appropriate regency style, it contains many personal effects of the poet.
Wordsworth House dates from 1745 and was built by Joshua Lucock, High Sheriff of Cumberland. The poet's father, John Wordsworth, acquired the house due to his position as agent to Sir James Lowther. It was occupied by the Wordsworth family from 1766 - 1784.
John and Anne Wordsworth had five children in all, the eldest was Richard born in 1768, William, their second child, was born on 7th April 1770 and Dorothy, the third, on
Christmas Day the following year.
A visit to the house provides a fascinating insight into the family life of the Wordsworths, painstaking efforts have gone into creating the feel of the poet's childhood home, with costumed maid, manservant, nurse and cook, interactive demonstrations and replica toys, furniture and furnishings.There is a working Georgian kitchen where visitors can enjoy tastings of recipes popular at the time (18th-century Cumberland food is cooked in the kitchen daily).
The interior contains many original features including the staircase, mid eighteenth century wood panelling, fireplaces and brass door furniture. A replica 1720 William Smith English single manual harpsichord is on display in the Drawing Room, which was made by Robert Deegan Workshops in Lancaster.
Some of the pieces in the house actually belonged to the poet in later life. These include his Crown Derby dinner service, his sofa, and painted bookshelves. In the drawing room stands his bureau bookcase which houses some first editions of his works. The terrace above the River Derwent at the end of the garden was the favourite playground of William and Dorothy.
Opposite the house stands a memorial to William Wordsworth, unveiled in 1970, which was the bicentenary year of his birth. Wordsworth House was first opened to the public in 2004. Next door to the house is a National Trust Gift Shop.