local attractions

HISTORIC HOMES AND CASTLES

Wordsworth House (one of the homes of William Wordsworth)
William Wordsworth was born here on 7th April 1770. Now owned by the National Trust it houses some personal effects of the poet, with rooms furnished in a Regency style. Opposite Wordsworth House is a memorial to William Wordsworth unveiled on 7th April 1970, the bicentenery of his birth.

Dove Cottage (one of the homes of William Wordsworth)

The Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH

Telephone: 015394 35544

Now owned by the Wordsworth Trust, this beautiful cottage has many of the original features, including the garden that he and his wife designed. It also houses many artefacts and original works by Wordsworth. Dove Cottage was home to William and his family for 8 1/2 year (1799-1808). It was at Dove Cottage, Grasmere that he wrote many of his most famous poems.

Opening Times:

9.30am - 5.30pm    Daily

Admission Prices:

Adult      £6.20

Child      £3.90

Rydal Mount (one of the homes of William Wordsworth)

Rydal, Near Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LU

Telephone: 015394 33002

Linked by the famous coffin trail a 50 minute gentle walk between Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, with spectacular views of Rydal Water and the surrounding Lakeland Fells. Rydal Mount is often refered to as Wordsworths most "beloved" home and it retains much of it's original charm and features. The Wordsworth family moved into Rydal Mount in 1813 and rented the house continually for 46 years until the death of Mary Wordsworth in 1859. Rydal Mount is the largest house that the Wordsworths lived in. The Wordsworths were keen gardeners and the garden is testament to this as it remains relatively unchanged.  Rydal Mount dates from the 16th Century when the house was a small yeoman style cottage. The house contains many original pieces of furniture, personal effects of the Wordsworths and portraits.

Opening Times:

March - October     9.30am - 5pm    Daily

Nov - Dec              9.30am - 5pm    Closed Tuesday

Beatrix Potter's home at Hill Top

Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF

Telephone: 015394 36269

The first house which Beatrix Potter bought in the Lake District, Hill Top is now owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. Hilltop is a delightful, small 17th century farmhouse and retains much of it's original character and is furnished just as it would have been during her day. Many of Beatrix Potters "treasures" are on display.

Opening Times:

28th May - 31st Aug      10.30am - 4.30pm    Closed Friday

1st Sept - 21st Oct        10.30am - 4.30pm    Closed Thursday and Friday

22nd Oct - 28th Oct       10.30am - 4.30pm    Open daily

Admission Prices:

Adult        £5.40

Child        £2.70

Family      £13.50

Blackwell

Bowness On Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3JT

Telephone: 015394 46139

Blackwell was designed by Arts and Crafts architect M.H Baillie Scott as a holiday home for Sir Edward Holt a brewer from Manchester. Completed in 1900 this house is of international importance, standing at the crossroads of Victorian design and modern architecture of the 20th century. The house itself is a wonderful combination of architecture, craft and the applied arts. These elements, together with the restored garden terraces and its setting in one of the Lake Districts more spectacular positions, create one of the most beautiful and exciting exhibition venues in the country. The Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction to the increasing machanisation brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Figures such as John Ruskin and William Morris championed the qualities of hand made objects and sought to re-establish the importance and worth of designer craftsmen. Blackwell houses a growing collection of both furniture and artefacts from this key period in the history of design. In addition to William de Morgan tiles in the fireplaces, there is also a collection of his pottery along with that of Ruskin. There is metalwork by Voysey, Benson and Dresser as well as examples by Arthur Simpson and Eric Gill. The gardens have been cleverly designed in a series of terraces to get the best views. The tearoom is open daily from 10am and there is also a Craft and Book shop.

Special Exhibitions:

19 June - 4th November -  W.A.S Benson Genius of the Arts And Crafts

13th November - 31st December  - Silver

Opening Times:

5th Feb - 31st Oct         10.30am - 5pm    Daily

1st Nov - 31st Dec        10.30am - 4pm    Daily

Admission Prices:

Adult       £5.45

Child       £2.75

Family     £13.00

John Ruskin’s home at Brantwood

Elizabethan mansion of Levens Hall

Telephone: 015395 60321

The first dwelling at Levens dates from circa 1350, and was built by the de Redman family as defence against the Scottish raiders of the time. It was then a primitive pele tower, with underhousing for the women and cattle in time of raids, and a large room where smoke from the open fire wold escape through a hole in the roof. The medieval structure was built in Elizabethan times when the Bellingham family created a mansion and beautified it with fine panelling and plasterwork. In 1694, Col James Grahme added much of the fine Jacobean furniture and built the two wings at the rear of the house, forming a courtyard. All building was completed in 1820 with the addition of the Howard Tower. Visitors can see all the finest Elizabethan rooms including the dining room with its embossed Cordova leather wall coverings, and several elegant bedrooms. Throughout the house are beautiful paintings, family memorabilia and the earliest English patchwork.

Opening Times:

1st April - 11th Oct   Open Sun - Thur

Gardens and tea room  10am - 5pm

House                          12noon - 4.30pm

Admission Prices:

Gardens

Adult    £6.50

Child    £3.50

Family  £18.50

Under 5's Free

House And Gardens

Adult    £9.50

Child    £4.50

Family  £24.00

Under 5's Free

Townend
Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LB

Telephone: 015394 32628

Townend is a fine example of Lake District vernacular architecture. Largely 17th century, the solid stone and slate house is an exceptional survival. It belonged to a wealthy "statesman" farming family and contains carved woodwork, books, papers, furniture and fascinating domestic implements from the past, largely accumulated by the Browne family - who lived here there from 1626 until 1943. A real fire burns in the "down house" most days, lending a homely atmosphere.

Opening Times:

31st Mar - 28th Oct      1pm - 5pm        Closed Monday and Tuesday

Admission Prices:

Adult          £3.80

Child          £1.90

Family        £9.50

Muncaster Castle

Muncaster, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ

Telephone: 01229 717614

Muncaster Castle, home to the Pennington family for 800 years, is a genuine treasure trove of art and antiques. It's Great Hall, Octagonal Library and elegant Dining Room are all windows on a grand past.  The gardens feature plants from all over the world, especially flowering shrubs from the Sino - Himalayan region. There are over 70 acres of gardens and many rare and unusual trees and plants flourish here. Based at Muncaster, The Owl Centre cares for one of the finest and largest owl collections in the world with over 45 species of owls.

Admission Prices

Adults    £7.00

Child     £5.00

Family   £22.00

Carlisle Castle

Carlisle, CA3 8UR

Telephone: 01228 591922

Wander the passages if this massive medieval fortress and discover nine centuries of bloody history across the feuding Anglo-Scottish border. Founded to protect the historic city of Carlisle in 1092, hear about it's role in sieges and stories about the ghastly prison. Discover the castles connections to great historic figures, including Edward 1, Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Uncover grim tales of the castles past, like the notorious "licking stones" where parched Jacobite prisoners found moisture to stay alive.

Opening Times:

1st April - 30th Sept   9.30am - 5pm   Daily

1st Oct  - 20th Mar     10am - 4pm  Daily

Admission Prices:

Adult      £4.20

Child      £3.20

Lanercost Priory

Telephone: 01697 773030

Stunning ruins of a 13th century Augustinian monastery near Hadrians Wall. Explore the well preserved chancel and trancepts, still remaining at their full height. Discover how Edward 1 rested in the church during his final campaign. View Renaissance wall paintings in the Dacre Hall.

Opening Times:

1st April - 30th Sept    10am - 5pm   Daily

1st Oct - 31st Oct       10am - 4pm    Thurs - Mon

3rd Nov - 16th Dec     10am - 4pm    Sat and Sun

Admission Prices:

Adult       £3.00

Child       £1.50

Brougham Castle

Telephone: 01768 862488

The beautiful 13th century ruin of Brougham Castle was once home to Lady Anne Clifford. Discover her intriguing story and how she restored the site as a residence in the 17th century. Climb the keep and discover the wonderful panoramic views. Step back in time when you see the lively exhibition and encounter historic carved stones from the nearby Roman fort.

Opening Times:

1st April - 30th Sept   10am - 5pm   Daily

Admission Prices:

Adult     £3.00

Child     £1.50

Furness Abbey

Telephone: 01229 823420

This rich Cistercian monastery was fit for a King. View fine stone carvings in the museum and visit the exhibition uncovering the wealthy and powerful religious community based at the Abbey. Wander the majestic ruins of the ornately decorated Furness Abbey, founded by Stephen later King Of England. Ponder the beauty of the red sandstone ruins, celebrateed by Wordsworth in his Prelude.

Admission Prices: 

Adult        £3.50

Child        £1.80

Opening Times:

1st April - 30th Sept    10am - 5pm    Daily

1st Oct - 31st Oct        10am - 4pm    Thur - Mon

1st Nov - 20th Mar       10am - 4pm    Thur - Sun