John Clare Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Clare Cottage |
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| General information | |
| Address | 12 Woodgate |
| Town or city | Helpston |
| Coordinates | 52°38′03″N 0°20′41″W / 52.6342°N 0.3446°W |
| Named for | John Clare |
| Owner | John Clare Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Clare Cottage | |
| Designated: | 15 December 1955 |
| Reference #: | 1331603 |
The John Clare Cottage is a special house and museum in Helpston, Peterborough, United Kingdom. This historic cottage was the birthplace of a famous English poet named John Clare (1793–1864). Today, it helps people learn about his life and work.
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What is the John Clare Cottage?
The cottage is a traditional building with a thatched roof. It is located at 12 Woodgate in Helpston. Long ago, this building was actually five smaller homes. Later, they were all joined together to create the single cottage you see today. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it is very important and protected.
A Home for a Poet
John Clare was born in this cottage in 1793. He grew up to become a well-known poet. His poems often described nature and village life around Helpston. The cottage helps visitors imagine what life was like for him.
Bringing the Cottage Back to Life
In 2005, a group called the John Clare Trust bought the cottage. They wanted to save it and share John Clare's story with more people.
Restoring the Building
The Trust worked hard to restore the cottage. In May 2007, they received a big grant of £1.27 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money helped them fix up the cottage using old-fashioned building methods. They also built a new Visitor Centre. This centre has a cafe, a shop, and a space for exhibitions. The cottage then opened its doors to the public.
Learning and Education
The John Clare Trust received another grant in 2013. This funding helped them keep the building in good shape. It also allowed them to create fun educational activities. These activities are especially for young people who visit the cottage.
The Cottage Garden
Behind the cottage, there is a lovely garden. Volunteers take care of this garden. They plant flowers and plants that would have been common during John Clare's time. It's like stepping back in time to see the plants he might have seen.
Part of a Bigger Story
The John Clare Cottage is part of the Fens Museum Partnership. This partnership includes other important places like Peterborough Museum and Flag Fen. Together, they help tell the history of the Fens area.
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Clare Cottage in 2018
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Statue of John Clare
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Cottage gardens
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Plaque erected by the Peterborough Museum Society in 1921
