The Wordsworths in Coleorton
April is a special month for one of Coleorton’s famous visitors from the 19th century. The poet William Wordsworth was born on 7th April 1770 at Cockermouth, Cumbria, and spent much of his early life in the lake district. His parents died when he was a young boy and the family were separated with his sister Dorothy being looked after by an aunt and uncle some distance away. After university where he began writing poetry he travelled through Europe and spent time in the West Country with his sister Dorothy, walking, writing poetry, meeting and working with poets including Samuel Coleridge.
In 1798 William and Dorothy moved back to the lake district and set up home at Dove Cottage, Grasmere. He was now well-known in literary circles, though not especially appreciated.
Sir George Beaumont (7th bt.) and his wife Margaret loved the dramatic and romantic scenery of the Lakes and in 1803 visited their friend William Jackson at Greta Hall in Keswick. Sir George was surprised to find Samuel Coleridge living in part of Greta Hall and having had a poor impression of Coleridge on their first meeting in London, warmed to him on closer acquaintance. Coleridge talked passionately about Wordsworth and Sir George who was a fan of William’s romantic style was thrilled that the Wordsworths were staying close by at Grasmere and a visit to Greta Hall to meet the Beaumonts was arranged. William and Sir George formed an instant friendship as did Dorothy and Lady Margaret.
In 1802 William married his childhood friend Mary Hutchinson and by 1806 the family at Dove Cottage consisted of William, Mary, children John, Dorothy (“Dora”) and baby Thomas, Dorothy and Sara, Mary’s sister. It was a tiny cottage and larger accommodation was needed. So Sir George invited the family to stay at Hall Farm, by Coleorton Hall. The new Hall was being built and Wordsworth and Dorothy enjoyed advising on the layout of the gardens, which sometimes irritated the official gardeners. They had both loved designing and tending their own lakeland gardens. William designed “The Winter Garden” making use of an old quarry nearby the Hall filling it with trees and plants to be enjoyed in the grey months, grottos, one decorated by Dorothy using shells, and memorial inscriptions. The grounds of the new Coleorton Hall were dotted with memorials celebrating Sir George’s artistic and literary heroes including Joshua Reynolds and John Beaumont and Wordsworth was employed to write the poetic inscriptions.
When the Beaumonts stayed in London at their Grosvenor Square apartment Dorothy and Margaret exchanged letters. In November 1806 Dorothy wrote to Margaret:
“Mary and I walked to the Hospital (which included the alms house and the Viscount Beaumont School) and the day after we sent John to school and a proud scholar he is. He goes with his dinner in a bag slung over his shoulder, and a little bottle of milk in his greatcoat pocket, and never man was fuller of pride and self importance.”
The Wordsworths returned to Dove Cottage and later to Rydal House which provided more space for the growing family (with addition of Catherine and William). The families kept in touch by letter and frequent visits. Lady Margaret sent hampers of game from Coleorton and books.
In 1815 Rev Francis Merewether was appointed as rector of St Mary’s Church by Sir George who had known Francis at Dunmow. Rev Francis was a passionate and energetic man who restored the interior of St Mary’s Church and likely encouraged the Wordsworth family to attend church. Previously William held fairly atheistic views but became a passionate supporter of the Church of England. Son John studied for the ministry and in 1828 became curate to Francis Merewether who was also the Vicar of Whitwick. John lived in the Whitwick rectory, now the Silver Oaks care home, and his Aunt Dorothy came to live with him to keep house. She was pleased to be within walking distance of St Mary’s Church and friends at Coleorton Hall and rectory. John’s sister Dora made a sketch of Whitwick rectory when she visited.
Now in Coleorton we remember with road and house names - Wordsworth House, Wordsworth Cottage, Wordsworth Close, “The Wordsworth” apartment in the Hall and “Wordsworth House” at Viscount Beaumont School!
Sandra Dillon
Coleorton Heritage Group
April 2026
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