Wordsworth Trust

Dove Cottage

A former inn called 'The Dove & Olive Bough', Dove Cottage was Wordsworth's first family home. He moved in with his sister, Dorothy in 1799.

Step inside to get a sense of that time: stone floors, dark panelled rooms, glowing coal fires and the family’s own belongings. Little has changed in the house since the Wordsworths lived here.

Click here to find out more.

Events for everyone

From talks, walks and contemporary poetry readings to family activities, behind-the-scenes tours, festivals and introductions to Romanticism, our events programme is varied and has something for everyone.

Browse our event listings

Explore Town End

The hamlet of Town End is a group of buildings, just outside the village of Grasmere. In 1799 there were a few houses, a blacksmith's workshop and a disused inn called The Dove & Olive.

The old inn is now known worldwide as Dove Cottage and thousands come to see how Wordsworth lived and why he loved it so much.

Find out more about life in Town End.