There’s no place like a revered writer’s home

A recent editorial discussed the importance of preserving the homes of famous writers, noting that writer George Eliot does not have a publicly accessible home despite efforts to create one. The article also points out that the renowned poet, painter, and printmaker William Blake, famous for writing the words of 'Jerusalem', also lacks a public home. Of the nine addresses where Blake lived, only two still exist. One of these, his former cottage in Felpham, West Sussex, is the only property that could potentially be opened to the public. Blake lived there with his wife Catherine from 1800 to 1803, a period of significant creative output.

The Blake Cottage Trust has been working for two years to save this historic cottage. In 2024, the roof was in danger of collapsing, and the cottage was listed as being at risk by Historic England. Fortunately, with financial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other organisations, the roof has been rebuilt, and a later Victorian addition has been removed to restore the cottage to its original appearance. However, much of the building still requires extensive conservation work before it can be fully secured and opened to everyone. This necessary work involves considerable expense.

Raising the necessary funds has proven challenging. Even with support from the Heritage Fund and other trusts, private donations are essential to cover a substantial financial gap. As the original article mentioned regarding Rydal Mount, the success of heritage sites depends not only on repairs but also on their relevance and ability to sustain themselves over time.

Therefore, the ambition extends beyond just repairing the physical structure. Plans include establishing an arts and education centre near the cottage. This centre is envisioned not merely as a place to visit but as a vibrant hub for creativity and inspiration. It aims to attract visitors year-round, serving the local community as well as tourists. Special attention is being paid to honouring Catherine Blake, who learned to read under William's tutelage and assisted in printing and colouring his illuminated books.

With the 200th anniversary of Blake's death approaching in 2027, there is a unique opportunity for the public to contribute. Information on how to support this cause can be found at blakecottage.org. The writer, Richard Clemmow, is a trustee of The Blake Cottage Trust and emphasizes the importance of this project.

Another reader, Dr David Rudrum, secretary of The Elmet Trust, commented on the commendable effort to reconnect people with literary heritage through writers' homes. He acknowledged that turning a writer's house into a museum can be difficult and not always feasible, but suggested that houses can still be saved and enjoyed by the public in other ways.

He highlighted the case of the late poet laureate Ted Hughes, born in a small house in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire. Hughes himself stated that his early years there influenced his entire life. However, the house is too small to accommodate groups of visitors without inconveniencing neighbours, and parking is extremely limited. To address this, the house was saved 20 years ago by The Elmet Trust, a local charity, and is now used as a holiday cottage or a retreat for writers. This approach offers a deeply immersive experience, allowing guests to stay in the rooms where Hughes lived, slept, and was born, fostering an appreciation for his humble beginnings.

Rudrum suggests that while museums are fitting tributes, engaging with literary heritage can also be achieved through other means. He mentions interactive visitor centres like Seamus Heaney HomePlace and exploring literary landscapes through walks as vital components for the future. However, he concludes that nothing quite compares to experiencing a writer's world by staying in their actual home, noting that there is a surprisingly wide range of such options available.

Eileen Jones, author of Rydal Mount: The Story of Wordsworth’s Home, added that William Wordsworth lived in two other Cumbrian houses besides Rydal Mount and Dove Cottage, both of which are open to the public. Wordsworth House in Cockermouth, his childhood home, is currently open only for organised tours due to financial losses and low visitor numbers since the pandemic. Allan Bank in Grasmere, where Wordsworth briefly resided, is also owned by the National Trust and is open five days a week.

Rydal Mount, however, was Wordsworth's favourite residence, where he lived for most of his life until his death in 1850. The house has a rich history and a stunning location. Although Wordsworth was only a tenant, the house was eventually purchased by his descendants. Since then, the gardens have been developed according to plans drawn by the poet, and the house has hosted various events, including drama, music, poetry, film festivals, and even weddings. In the past, it was also used for filming dance troupes.

The Wordsworth Trust recently acquired Rydal Mount and plans to continue developing its cultural significance. The aim is to re-engage visitors with Wordsworth's life and work, as well as poetry in general. The family previously ran a successful poetry competition for local school pupils, with plans to expand it nationwide, potentially inspiring a new generation to appreciate poetry beyond just Wordsworth's famous poem 'Daffodils'.