Description
Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum is the historic former home of poet William Wordsworth, located in the heart of the Lake District. As one of the best things to do with kids in Grasmere, this world-renowned museum and heritage site offers an immersive look into Romantic literature through a mix of historic rooms, woodland walks, and interactive exhibits. It is a fantastic destination for families looking to combine history with a bit of outdoor exploration in a beautiful setting.
Prices for a family of four (one adult and up to three children) start from £24.00, while a family of five (two adults and up to three children) is priced at £39.50. Children under the age of five can enter the site for free, and all standard tickets serve as an annual pass for free return visits.
If you are looking for the best place for an educational day out with family and kids that balances indoor learning with plenty of space to run around, Dove Cottage is a top choice. The site offers a unique "step back in time" experience that is designed to be accessible and engaging for all ages.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
What makes Dove Cottage unique?
Dove Cottage remains remarkably preserved, allowing visitors to see the exact rooms where some of the world's most famous poetry was written. The site includes the expanded Wordsworth Museum and a wild sensory play garden designed to reflect the poet's love of nature. Families can engage with the collections through hands-on activities that make 19th-century life feel relevant and exciting for children today.
- Interactive Museum: Features state-of-the-art displays and traditional crafts that bring the Wordsworths' stories to life.
- The Garden-Orchard: A "wild" garden area perfect for children to explore and learn about local plants and wildlife.
- Guided Experiences: Friendly guides provide family-focused insights into the daily lives of the people who lived in the cottage.
Top 5 Highlights
- The Cottage Kitchen: See the hearth where the family cooked and lived; it is a great way for kids to compare modern life with the past.
- The Wordsworth Museum Galleries: Discover specific items like William's spectacles and Dorothy’s handwritten journals.
- The Viewing Platform: Offers a stunning view over Grasmere Vale, helping children understand why the landscape inspired so much art.
- The Learning Space: A dedicated area where kids can try their hand at quill writing or dress up in Regency-style clothing.
- Woodland Walks: Follow the same paths the poets took, which are safe and manageable for younger children.
The site offers several distinct areas and specific historic objects to discover:
- Dove Cottage (The historic house itself).
- The Garden-Orchard (Wordsworth's "little nook of mountain ground").
- The Wordsworth Museum (A modern building housing the collection).
- William’s Passport (A unique personal item in the collection).
- Dorothy Wordsworth’s Grasmere Journal (The original manuscript).
- The Manuscript of 'The Prelude' (One of the most important works of English literature).
- The Dove Cottage Teapot (Used by the family during their residence).
- The Cafe @ Dove Cottage (Serving local Lakeland treats).
- The Sensory Garden (Designed for all-ages exploration).
- The Library (Available for researchers and special tours).
Beyond the Main Attraction: The site is a short walk from Grasmere Village, famous for Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread. You can also visit St Oswald’s Church, where the Wordsworth family is buried, or take a short drive to Rydal Mount, the family's later home.
11.82 miles
