Floral Festivities

Floral festivities bring

Dove Cottage to life this Christmas

This Christmas, the historic home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth is being transformed into a festive floral wonderland for the first time, thanks to a collaboration with local design studio The Floralistas.

The iconic property, a cornerstone of Cumbrian culture, will showcase a full-scale artistic installation of mixed-sized kissing boughs—traditional, spherical decorations crafted from seasonal greenery such as holly, ivy, willow, and mistletoe. These festive creations will also incorporate natural elements like berries, rosehips, apples, and oranges, filling the cottage with the scents and colours of the season.

Paying homage to Wordsworth’s lifelong love of nature, The Floralistas will create the boughs using foraged and locally grown foliage, ensuring that each piece remains authentic to the landscape that inspired the poet and his sister Dorothy. Fresh when installed, the foliage will naturally dry in place, becoming an ephemeral, tribute to the cottage’s connection with the natural world.

The installation is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and players of the National Lottery.

Commenting, Michael McGregor from Wordsworth Grasmere said:

“The theme of bringing the outdoors indoors during the winter months was a concept that really appealed to us. Anyone familiar with Dorothy Wordsworth’s Grasmere Journals will know how much the family delighted in foraging and celebrating nature’s gifts. They found joy in simplicity—and that’s exactly what The Floralistas are recreating this December.”

Beyond the breathtaking decorations, Wordsworth Grasmere is expanding its Christmas programme for 2025, offering a range of events for visitors of all ages:

Daily Candlelit Tours – Experience Wordsworth Grasmere and Dove Cottage by candlelight, evoking the warmth and charm of a traditional Regency Christmas.
Winter Crafts & Family Workshops – Hands-on creative sessions inspired by the Wordsworth’s love of nature.
Dorothy Wordsworth’s Christmas – twice-weekly fireside storytelling revealing what Christmas was like 200 years ago.
Festive Fireside Storytelling – a magical evening of Christmas storytelling for adults in Dove Cottage. Gather by the fire with a warm drink and a festive treat to hear captivating tales of Christmas 200 years ago.
The on-site Café will be serving a delicious menu of festive food and drink, from traditional mince pies and Christmas cake to warming stews and indulgent Festive Afternoon Teas (available by pre-booking).