Coleridge Cottage facts for kids
Coleridge Cottage at
35, Lime Street, Nether Stowey |
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| Established | 1998 |
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| Location | Nether Stowey, Somerset |
Coleridge Cottage is a historic house in Nether Stowey, Somerset, England. It's a very old building, first built in the 1600s. Originally, it was two separate buildings that were later joined together.
This cottage is famous because the well-known poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived here from 1797 to 1799. During his time, he wrote many of his most famous poems. His friend, the poet William Wordsworth, also visited him often. Today, the cottage is a writer's home museum, run by the National Trust. It's a great place to learn about Coleridge and his amazing poems.
The cottage is also the starting point for the Coleridge Way. This is a long walking trail that stretches for 51 miles (82 km) to Lynmouth.
Contents
History of Coleridge Cottage
The cottage was built in the 1600s. It started as two separate buildings. One part had a living room, kitchen, and other rooms downstairs. It also had three bedrooms upstairs. The other part was a barn or a place for animals.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Time Here
The famous poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge rented this cottage for three years, starting in 1797. Coleridge was not just a poet. He was also a literary critic and a thinker. With his friend William Wordsworth, he helped start the Romantic Movement in England. They were part of a group called the Lake Poets.
While living in Nether Stowey, Coleridge wrote many important poems. These include This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and Frost at Midnight. He also wrote part of Christabel.
Coleridge was writing his poem Kubla Khan when he said he was interrupted. He mentioned "a person on business from Porlock" arrived. It's unclear if this really happened or if it was part of a dream. But this phrase is now used to describe unwanted visitors who stop someone's creative work.
During Coleridge's stay, William Wordsworth visited him often. Wordsworth then rented Alfoxton Park, which was only about 3 miles away. Coleridge mentioned the cottage in several of his poems. These include To The Rev G Coleridge and Fears in Solitude.
Becoming a Museum
Coleridge moved out of the cottage in 1799. Around 1800, the building was updated and became an inn. More big changes happened in the late 1800s. Rooms were added to the back, and the roof was made higher.
In 1893, a group of people who admired Coleridge leased the cottage. They wanted to save it. By 1896, they started asking for donations to buy the cottage. There was a worry that it might be moved to America. They put a special plaque on the wall, which was revealed on June 9, 1893.
By 1908, their campaign had raised enough money to buy the property. Many important people supported the effort. In 1909, they gave the cottage to the National Trust.
Coleridge Cottage Today
The National Trust has managed Coleridge Cottage since 1909. For many years, it was known as 'Moore's Coleridge Cottage Inn'.
On May 23, 1998, two more rooms on the first floor were opened to the public. This happened after a fundraising effort. William Coleridge, 5th Baron Coleridge, a descendant of the poet, officially opened them.
In 2011, the National Trust did a big project to improve the cottage. They opened even more rooms. The oldest parts of the cottage now look like they did when Coleridge's family lived there. The original inglenook fireplace in the living room was uncovered and works again.
Visiting the Cottage and Garden
The garden was also opened to visitors for the first time. It has a vegetable patch from the 1700s. There is also a wildflower area. You can even listen to Coleridge's poetry at special audio spots in the garden. The old well works again and can be seen in the small courtyard.
Inside the cottage, you can see some of Coleridge's personal items. These include his inkstand and even locks of his hair. You can also see letters written in his own handwriting.
Coleridge Cottage has won awards as a tourist attraction. In 2013, it won 'Gold' for 'Best Small Visitor Attraction' at the South West Tourism Awards. In 2014, it won 'Silver' at the Visit England Awards in the same category.
See also
- List of National Trust properties in Somerset
- 3, The Grove, Highgate
