Derwent Island House facts for kids
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Derwent Island House is a cool old house on Derwent Island, a small island in Derwent Water, near Keswick, Cumbria. This 18th-century house is built in an Italian style. The house and its 7-acre island are owned by the National Trust, a group that looks after special places. Even though it's a private home, you can visit it a few days each year. Inside, it looks very classic and grand.
Contents
A Look Back at Derwent Island House
From Monks to Miners
Long ago, Derwent Island belonged to Fountains Abbey, a place where monks lived. They used the island for their activities. But in 1539, the king took over the abbey's lands. The island then became property of the Crown.
Later, in 1569, a German mining company bought the island. These miners built a small camp there. They kept animals, grew fresh vegetables, and even brewed their own beer!
Joseph Pocklington's Fun Island
In 1778, a man named Joseph Pocklington bought the island for £300. Back then, it was called Vicar's Island. Joseph built a house, a boathouse, a fort, and even a fake Druid stone circle on the land. His house was one of the first fancy homes built in the Lake District.
Joseph loved to have fun! He held yearly boat races, called regattas, on the lake. During these events, he would fire his cannons from the fort. He even staged pretend battles! In 1796, Joseph sold the island to William Peachy, who was a friend of the famous poet Robert Southey.
New Owners and the National Trust
Henry Cowper Marshall bought the island in 1844. He hired an architect named Anthony Salvin to make the house bigger. They added new sections on the east and west sides, plus a tall, three-story tower.
In 1951, Mr. Marshall's grandson, Denis Marshall, gave the property to the National Trust. This means the house and island are now protected for everyone to enjoy. For many years in the 20th century, members of the Grindlay family lived in the house, renting it from the Marshalls.
William Wordsworth's View
The famous poet William Wordsworth wasn't a big fan of the house. He felt it spoiled the natural beauty of the view. He described Joseph Pocklington as someone who "played strange pranks" with his buildings on the island. Wordsworth thought Pocklington bought the island because he admired the area and wanted to start a new trend.
Gallery (Derwent Island and Derwent Water)
See also
- Listed buildings in Keswick, Cumbria
