Visit Rydal Mount, the former home of gardener-poet William Wordsworth
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| Dora's Field at Rydal Mount
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'When Dora died, William and Mary planted the field with daffodils in her memory.'
'William agreed to become poet laureate on the condition he was not obliged to write any poetry while holding the post.'
Lakeland poet William Wordsworth moved to Rydal Mount in 1813 where he lived with his sister Dorothy, wife Mary, sister-in-law Sara Hutchinson, and his three surviving children John, Dora and William. He also died there at the age of 80 in 1850 and is buried in St Oswald's Churchyard, Grasmere.
Wordsworth's talents were not just literary, however; the Wordsworth family members were all keen gardeners and William himself designed and created the informal romantic garden in the 4.5 acres of grounds at Rydal Mount.
Far-reaching views
Inspirational views were important to Wordsworth, so the rare trees and shrubs in the garden, including smooth Japanese maple, fern-leaf beech and Japanese red cedar, were carefully planted so as not to obscure them. Highlights include the view of Lake Windermere, the largest lake in the Lake District – and Rydal Water, the smallest of the lakes. This is the only property in the Lake District with views of both lakes.
Included in Wordsworth's design is a lawn bordered with flowering shrubs and a number of terraces above it. He also built a summerhouse at the end of a Sloping Terrace, where he would sit and compose poetry. Further beyond on the Far Terrace, Wordsworth was known to pace up and down quoting his work out loud.
Dora's daffodils
For visitors, a walk along the curving path of this terrace which leads out to the fell is highly recommended, offering a wonderful view of Rydal Water. Dora's Field, next door to the garden is also significant as this was land Wordsworth bought with the intention of building another house. When his daughter Dora died at the age of 43, however, he and Mary planted the field with daffodils in her memory.
Plants for visitors to enjoy include highly scented lavenders, clematis, rhododendrons and azaleas. As you wander around, you'll come across the 9th-century Norse Mound, once used as a beacon site to warn of advancing border raiders from the north. There's also a croquet lawn, Dora's terrace – only discovered in 1994 – and a fine view of the house from the bottom of the garden.
Visitors can just explore the gardens (and take a picnic in the meadow if they wish), or also tour Wordsworth's family home. Inside, you'll get a glimpse of love letters exchanged between William and Mary and the only known portrait of Wordsworth's sister Dorothy.
Reluctant poet laureate
Another highlight of the house is the letter above the fireplace in William and Mary's bedroom, which is the poet's first reply to Queen Victoria declining an invitation to accept the honorary title of poet laureate. William later acquiesced on the rather surprising condition that he was not obliged to write any poetry while holding the post. He remains the only poet laureate to have done so.
Opening times
Rydal Mount is open daily between March and October (9.30 am-5pm). A garden-only visit cost £2.50; house and garden, £5; family ticket, £12; concessions apply. Group visits (minimum of 10 people) cost £11.50 per head and include guided garden tour, private viewing of the house, poetry reading, a glass of wine and Grasmere gingerbread.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Thursday 20 November 2008 | Help | Glossary 
