William Wordsworth's Lake District home is saved after his descendants put it on the market for £2.5million

Wordsworth’s Rydal Mount Saved for Public After £2.5 Million Sale to Trust

William Wordsworth’s historic Lake District home, Rydal Mount, has been secured for the public after being sold for £2.5 million to the Wordsworth Trust. The Grade I-listed property had been placed on the market by the poet’s descendants, raising concerns about its future.

The purchase ensures the 16th-century house will remain a public attraction. The Wordsworth Trust, which already manages Dove Cottage nearby, confirmed the acquisition as part of efforts to preserve the poet’s legacy in Cumbria.

Rydal Mount had faced an uncertain future after rising operating costs made it difficult to sustain under its previous model. Cumbria Tourism had warned that maintaining the property in its existing format was becoming increasingly unviable.

Wordsworth lived at Rydal Mount from 1813 until his death in 1850, making it the longest-serving of his three Lake District homes. The others included Dove Cottage and Allan Bank, both located near Grasmere.

Although Wordsworth never owned the property, renting it from Sir Richard Le Fleming, he left a lasting imprint on the house and its grounds. The five-acre gardens surrounding the home were designed by the poet and remain largely unchanged today.

The property returned to the Wordsworth family in 1969 when Mary Henderson, the poet’s great-great-granddaughter, purchased it after the Le Fleming family sold it to cover death duties. Following her death in 1992, ownership passed to her grandsons, Christopher Andrew and Simon Bennie.

The two owners expressed relief that the house would remain preserved and accessible. They said they had worked hard to keep the home open to visitors, maintaining its distinctive family atmosphere during more than 50 years of family ownership.

They also acknowledged mixed emotions about the sale, noting sadness at leaving the Lake District while reflecting on many positive memories connected to the property.

Michael McGregor, director of the Wordsworth Trust, said the acquisition highlighted the fragile nature of literary heritage sites in the region. He described the situation as a cautionary example of how vulnerable such historic properties can become without sustainable support.

He added that the trust had worked closely with the previous owners for years, allowing early discussions about securing the future of Rydal Mount. He welcomed the outcome, emphasizing that public access to the house would continue.

Despite the successful purchase, the property and its grounds will remain closed temporarily. Maintenance work is set to be carried out before reopening plans are finalized.

The Wordsworth Trust has said further details about the site’s future use and visitor access will be announced at a later date.