Milton's Cottage facts for kids
Milton's Cottage is a special old house built in the 1500s. It's located in a village called Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire, England. This house used to be the home of a famous writer named John Milton. Today, it's a museum where people can visit and learn about his life and work.
Why Milton's Cottage is Important
In 1665, John Milton and his wife moved to this cottage. They were trying to escape the terrible Plague that was spreading in London. Even though Milton lived here for less than a year, this cottage is very important. It's the only house he lived in that is still standing today.
While staying at this historic 16th-century cottage, Milton finished his most famous poem, Paradise Lost. He also started thinking about another big poem, Paradise Regained, while he was here. Milton's friend, Thomas Ellwood, once called the cottage "that pretty box in St. Giles."
Explore the Museum and Garden
The ground floor of Milton's Cottage is now a museum. It's all about John Milton and his amazing writings. Inside the four museum rooms, you can see the largest collection of his original books from the 1600s. These include both his poems and other writings.
When you visit, guides will tell you all about Milton's incredible life. You'll learn how this blind genius found safety from the plague here. It was in this very house that he wrote some of the best poetry ever!
The cottage also has a lovely garden that visitors can explore. It's planted in an old-fashioned style, just like gardens used to be.
Royal Visits to Milton's Cottage
In 1887, some people tried to buy the cottage and move it to America. But local people wanted to keep it in England. So, they started a plan to buy the house together. Even Queen Victoria helped by being the first to donate money for its purchase in 1887.
Since then, many members of the Royal Family have visited Milton's Cottage and its garden. These include Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. In 2008, Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also visited. They came to celebrate 400 years since John Milton was born.
