W H AT 'S O N 2 0 22
Exhibitions • Talks • Activities • Poetry • Family Fun
Exhibitions
Photograph: Silhouette of Dorothy Wordsworth, 1806
Until 4 September
Dorothy Writer, Sister, Friend This is Dorothy Wordsworth’s story, told in her own words from original manuscripts in celebration of her 250th birthday. Dorothy Wordsworth was more than William’s sister. She was a writer, friend, collaborator, aunt, pioneering walker, local philanthropist, inspiring gardener, and – perhaps most famously – author of the Grasmere journal. She was an extraordinary, yet relatable, woman: a writer, sister, and friend of the nineteenth century and for the twenty-first.
10 September30 October
Refuge from the Ravens, — Wordsworth rewritten by homeless Britain
(Project by Zwiebelfish CIC, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.)
In 1798, Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge sparked a literary revolution. Poems in everyday language told of people on the margins of society. This exhibition is a twenty-first century remix — new Lyrical Ballads made by people with experience of homelessness, and other vulnerable people, in poetry, art and song.
Mid November 2022 - spring 2023
'To the Lakes!' The Lake District has been attracting travellers, tourists and trippers for over 250 years. They come to escape, to see new things, for adventure; to walk, eat, shop, and sleep. It is a place of dreams and memories, and home to resident communities established centuries ago. This exhibition explores the experiences of the first intrepid tourists, inviting us to compare their experiences with those of the many millions who have visited since.
Included with admission. Book your visit at wordsworth.org.uk
Activities
Make your visit to Wordsworth Grasmere even more memorable. There’s something different to do each day of the week.
Gallery Tours Come along as we show you the highlights of our beautiful Museum. We'll take you on a stroll through our galleries and reveal the stories behind some of the special objects on display.
Sketching Sketch, doodle and get creative as you explore our Museum and green spaces. Borrow a sketchbook and pencil case and choose from a range of prompt sheets to start you off.
Behind the Scenes What’s it like to work in a library and archive where the walls are lined with 200-year-old books? Step into the world of our curators and find out about the 68,000 treasures that they care for.
Loose Leaf Poetry Settle into a cosy corner of our Café and enjoy reading new poems or old favourites. Have a go at penning something of your own with the help of our thoughtful prompts.
Woodland Trail Wander through the trees with us, hear William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s writing read aloud, and learn to see the wonders of the everyday.
Included with admission. Visit wordsworth.org.uk to find out what's on when you visit.
Talks
All our talks take place online. Explore manuscripts, books and pictures close-up as we broadcast from our beautiful library and archive. With geography no object, our friendly expert speakers join us from all over the world. Online at 7.30pm.
Wednesday 8 June
Andrew McInnes and Rita Dashwood Romantic Ridiculous
Thursday 7 July
Jessica Fay and Dean Hines Dorothy among the Painters
Thursday 25 August
Jeremy Davies and Jane Roberts The Wordsworths and Gardening
Thursday 8 September
Phil Davenport and Julia Grimes ‘Refuge from the Ravens’
Wednesday 12 October
Susan Allen and Alison Critchlow Poetry & Paint: Seeing into the life of things
Thursday 10 November
Corinne Fowler and Phil Shaw The Wordsworths and India
Thursday 8 December
Hannah Britton, Lewis Roberts, and Alexis Woolf Close-up with manuscripts
Book online at wordsworth.org.uk
'Go to the poets, they will speak to thee' Each event in the series speaks to a different theme in Wordsworth’s writing, and the guest poet and open mic theme change each month with poet Kim Moore. Online at 7.30pm. £5 Wednesday 25 May Jessica Traynor Wednesday 29 June Eric Ngalle Charles Wednesday 27 July Clare Shaw Wednesday 24 August André Naffis-Sahely Wednesday 21 September Hannah Hodgson Wednesday 19 October Holly Hopkins Wednesday 23 November Arji Manuelpillai Wednesday 14 December Greta Stoddart Photo credit Lorna Elizabeth
Book online at wordsworth.org.uk
Discover Poetry A monthly poetry reading and discussion group with poet Polly Atkin. Online at 7.30pm. Free Thursday 19 May Thursday 16 June Thursday 21 July Thursday 18 August Thursday 15 September Thursday 20 October Thursday 17 November Thursday 15 December
Poetry writing groups These groups meet regularly to to read, discuss, and write poetry. More details about each group, including how to sign up, can be found on our website. Free Untrodden Ways For young people aged 11-14 Dove Cottage Young Poets For young people aged 14-21 Dove Cottage Poets For adults
An Evening with Simon Armitage Tuesday 13 September The Daffodil Hotel at 7.30pm. £15
Photo credit Phil Rigby
Families
There is plenty for children to do at Wordsworth Grasmere, from dressing up in Georgian costumes and writing with quill and ink to outdoor trails and Art Cart activities. There are also special events for families throughout the year, from watercolour walks and poetry trails to spooky Halloween storytelling and Christmas crafts. Twilight Tales in Dove Cottage Children aged 3+ Tuesday 25, Thursday 27, Friday 28 October, 4.00-5.30pm Join us for hot chocolate, gingerbread, Halloween crafts and dressing up — before heading over to Dove Cottage to listen to some spooky Cumbrian stories! £10 per family Georgian Christmas Children all ages Thursday 22 December, 10.30am-12.00pm and 2.00-3.30pm Have a go at some Georgian Christmas crafts, including making pomanders and garlands, decorate some gingerbread and even take a turn at a traditional Cumbrian step dance. £10 per family Little Wanderers Children aged 0-4 Fridays, 10.15-11.15am These early years sessions are designed to encourage little ones to be creative and playful. Each themed morning is a mixture of songs, stories and play-based learning. £4 per family
Book online at wordsworth.org.uk
For more information about the events programme, to book online, and to see what’s on today: wordsworth.org.uk
Opening times: 29 March to 26 June Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am-5.00pm 27 June to 4 September Monday to Sunday 10.00am-5.00pm 5 September to 31 October Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am-5.00pm
Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH 015394 35544
1 November to 23 December Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm 27 December to 31 December Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm
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