If you are interested in the future plans for Wordsworth House & Garden, please see the information below. We will update as things develop.
Statement from the National Trust – Tuesday 22 July 2025
“Wordsworth House and Garden is not closing, and the community will play a key role in shaping its future.
We are currently undertaking a review of how the house and garden can offer the most benefit to visitors and the residents of Cockermouth. At the moment the house has a comparatively low number of visitors and if it remains open as a pay-for-entry experience will continue to lose significant amounts of charitable money.
Our proposals aim to increase access, share the Wordsworth story more widely, and explore new uses for the space. These plans would see the garden, which is the most popular area, take on a more central role for visitors next year while we consult with the town council, chamber of commerce, businesses, residents and visitors to shape a sustainable, community-focussed future for the house, with a new model in place by 2027.
These are proposals only, and we’re consulting staff and volunteers to ensure they deliver the Trust’s new strategy; to increase people’s access to culture and inspire them to care for it, as well as create a sustainable future for the organisation in a tough financial environment.”
Statement from Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade – Wednesday 23 July 2025
Joe Murray, co-chair of Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, said: “Wordsworth House & Garden is part of the fabric of Cockermouth – as an historic building, but also as a destination for residents and visitors alike. It is one of our main tourist attractions, which drives footfall to our businesses, and it is a vital resource for local people, particularly schoolchildren and literature and history lovers.
“We made contact with the National Trust as soon as we heard its future was under review as we want to work in partnership with them, and other organisations, to ensure it remains open to all, at the heart of our town. We will be meeting with Trust management to discuss what we can do together. The community saved this building from demolition in 1937 when there were plans to turn the site into a bus station. The Wordsworth House website says the Trust wants it ‘to be looked after for everyone, for ever’. That’s exactly what must happen.”
