Rebuilding Wordsworth's House (Old Rectory) Grasmere

WORDSWORTH'S HOUSE, GRASMERE - The old rectory at Grasmere, for some time the residence of the poet Wordsworth, has been rebuilt on modern lines, but the main front facing the church has been retained as far as possible, and the old character preserved. The work has been carried out from the designs. and under the superintendence of, Mr. Robert Walker, architect, Windermere. [Builder 1 August 1896 Page 103]

WORDSWORTH AT GRASMERE – To the great circle of lovers of Wordsworth the accompanying picture of the old Rectory at Grasmere where the poet lived for two years, will be all the more interesting because the house has recently been demolished. The walls had stood for two centuries and had housed more than one remarkable man. Wordsworth spent some of his time while under its roof, from 1811 to 1813, in preparing “‘The Excursion ” for press. When he departed from the Rectory, it was to take up his residence at Rydal Mount. The ruthless hand of Time has made it necessary to rase this landmark in the Wordsworth country, which can, however, never lose all trace of the great poet who celebrated its beauties in such exquisite verse. [Illustrated London News 14 September 1895 page 332]

LISTING TEXT - GRASMERE Rectory NY 3307 18/53 12.1.67. II GV 2. C18. Wordsworth lived here 1811 to 1813. Colour washed roughcast with slate roof, 2 storeys. Gabled porch with round-arched opening and inner door. 3 16-paned sash windows on ground floor, with labels added, and 4 16-paned sashes above. Lower wing at each end in same style. For group notes see General group description under Grasmere. [Listing NGR: NY3369507342]

Note date of original building given as 1687. Newspaper reports in 1895 indicate that this building was "raised to the ground." The present building apppears to be a total re-build.

Reference     Builder 1 August 1896 Page103
Reference     Illustrated London News 14 September 1895 page 332 with photo by Green Brothers, Grasmere