Autumn treat for poetry lovers

Wordsworths read Wordsworth

As autumn closes down the days and the daylight, there’s a special treat in store for poetry lovers at Rydal Mount, the former home of William Wordsworth.

Descendants of the poet will gather in the drawing room, where Wordsworth wrote many of his great works, and read poems to a select audience.

It’s an exclusive event as there’s limited space, but those attending will hear some of the most beautiful poetry ever written, read by four generations of the Wordsworth family. They will also have a special guided tour of the house.

Christopher Wordsworth Andrew, the great great great great grandson of William, will be among them. His readings have been appreciated by intimate audiences for a number of years. He also set up an online project, Wordsworth250 , where celebrity fans of William Wordsworth upload their own readings of the Romantic poems.

The date is Friday November 3 at 4pm. Tickets are available now, and include a glass of wine and a slice of Grasmere gingerbread. It promises to be one of the most atmospheric events of the season. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wordsworths-read-wordsworth-tickets-725658974527

September 1819 by William Wordsworth

Departing summer hath assumed

An aspect tenderly illumed,

The gentlest look of spring;

That calls from yonder leafy shade

Unfaded, yet prepared to fade,

A timely carolling.

Christmas fair with Rydal Hall

The Christmas Fair this year is going to be bigger and better than ever. We have teamed up with our neighbours at Rydal Hall to create the Rydal Christmas Fair, a two-day festive treat at both locations.

A combined ticket for the weekend event on December 2 and 3 will be on sale shortly, and there’s still some space for stallholders, indoors at the Hall and outdoors here at the Mount. We already have a fantastic collection of talented artists and craftspeople lined up who will be here selling perfect gifts for Christmas.

Among them will be Jonathan Leech who is creating exquisite wooden dishes, bowls, pens and candle holders carved from the cedar tree that fell in our garden during the storms a few years ago.

Visitors will be treated to music from our harpist friends and a brass band, a small choir singing carols and festive songs. The tea shops at both venues will be open, with mulled wine on offer, and while Rydal Mount has Joey’s Cafe serving vegetable stew and other goodies, there will be bratwurst for sale outside the bar at Rydal Hall.The fire pits will be lit at the Mount near the garden gazebo stalls.

Tickets will be £5 in advance, £6 on the day, on sale shortly from this website, and this includes free parking.

Christopher Wordsworth, the great great great great grandson of the poet William Wordsworth, who lived at Rydal Mount, said: “We are delighted to be sharing a big festive occasion with our lovely neighbours at Rydal Hall. It will be a weekend of celebration for the whole village.”

If you’d like to book a stall please email marketing@rydalhall.org