A novel new way of enjoying Wordsworth Grasmere has been inspired by the recent huge success of the BBC drama, The Other Bennet Sister – which is set to return to screens in December with a Christmas special.
Thanks to the popularity of the BBC One adaptation of Janice Hadlow’s novel – the BBC’s biggest launch of a television drama in almost a year – visitors to the historic home of the poet admired by Mary Bennet, have increased.
Now, those visitors can follow a newly launched self-guided trail from Dove Cottage, through the Garden-Orchard, along the Woodland Walk to the Wordsworth Grasmere Museum.
Along The Other Bennet Sister Trail, there’s opportunities to try on Regency costume, read the poetry so loved by Mary Bennet, and discover the Lakeland landscapes which inspired Wordsworth.
In the BBC drama, Wordsworth’s Lyrical Ballads became Mary’s constant companion and a first edition of this influential collection can be viewed at the Museum along with A Guide to the Lakes and a rare first edition of Poems, in Two Volumes including Composed Upon Westminster Bridge which also feature in the television adaptation.
“We hope fans of The Other Bennet Sister will find our new self-guided trail a wonderful addition to the Wordsworth Grasmere experience this summer,” said Melissa Mitchell, Curator for Wordsworth Grasmere.
A major turning point in the television drama occurs when Mary Bennet joins a group hiking up Scafell Pike. Wordsworth’s sister, Dorothy, was one of the Lake District’s earliest female mountaineers, reaching the summit of England’s highest mountain in 1818.
Those who enjoy The Other Bennet Sister Trail and wish to explore other local landscapes can do so via the free Dorothy Wordsworth Walks App featuring routes inspired by Dorothy’s journals and journeys through the Lake District.
The Other Bennet Sister Trail can be downloaded for free from the Wordsworth Grasmere website.
From June 30-September 6, Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere are open seven days per week from 10am-4pm.
Tickets to Wordsworth Grasmere, valid for 12 months, cost £8 for children and £16 for adults with other concessions available and can be booked online.
All episodes of The Other Bennet Sister are now available on BBC iPlayer, with a Christmas special due out later this year. Copies of the book along with volumes of Wordsworth’s poetry featured in the television drama are on sale in the Wordsworth Grasmere shop, with every purchase supporting the charity’s work.
