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Rebecca Atkinson on Coleridge Cottage, one of the National Trust's first properties and home of the Romantic poet
What
Nether Stowey, in the Quantock Hills, Somerset. Coleridge Cottage was the home of the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge from 1797 to 1800. It was here that he wrote some of his most significant works, including The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan and Frost at Midnight.
History
The cottage was one of the National Trust’s earliest acquisitions in 1909. But its opening to the public has been gradual, says Caroline Taylor, assistant house manager.
Following a redevelopment project in 2011, the entire cottage is now open to the public with the rooms within the Georgian parts of the cottage recreated as they may have been 200 years.
Help at hand
Taylor is the only full-time member of staff, helped by a seasonal conservation assistant and 70 volunteers.
Collections
Objects that once belonged to Coleridge are displayed in the exhibition room.
“This cabinet houses a diverse collection, including locks of the poet’s hair, family letters, Coleridge’s own quills and inkstand, and a copy of the book that ultimately started the Romantic movement, Lyrical Ballads,” says Taylor.
Highlights
Taylor says the cottage’s unique atmosphere is its biggest draw: “When you walk into the rooms, it is easy to picture Coleridge writing beside the fire and the family living their day-to-day lives.” The house is also very hands-on – visitors can write with a quill, dress up in Georgian garb, and sit beside Coleridge’s log fire.
Visitors
11,241 visitors from 10 March to 4 November 2012.
Sticky moments
During the redevelopment, the team struggled to get the chimney in the second parlour room to draw, although this has since been sorted out.
“Smoke would continually fill the room meaning that all we could do was admire the fire from the outside looking in through the window,” Taylor says. “On the plus side, Coleridge wrote about smoke-filled rooms, so at least we had the historical accuracy down to a tee.”
Survival tip?
“Keep it fresh and don’t become complacent,” says Taylor.
Future plans
The cottage would like to acquire more of the poet’s possessions, namely his wife Sara’s recipe book, written before she married Coleridge. “We are also looking forward to establishing a Georgian-themed vegetable plot,” Taylor says.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleridge-cottage/
Nether Stowey, in the Quantock Hills, Somerset. Coleridge Cottage was the home of the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge from 1797 to 1800. It was here that he wrote some of his most significant works, including The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan and Frost at Midnight.
History
The cottage was one of the National Trust’s earliest acquisitions in 1909. But its opening to the public has been gradual, says Caroline Taylor, assistant house manager.
Following a redevelopment project in 2011, the entire cottage is now open to the public with the rooms within the Georgian parts of the cottage recreated as they may have been 200 years.
Help at hand
Taylor is the only full-time member of staff, helped by a seasonal conservation assistant and 70 volunteers.
Collections
Objects that once belonged to Coleridge are displayed in the exhibition room.
“This cabinet houses a diverse collection, including locks of the poet’s hair, family letters, Coleridge’s own quills and inkstand, and a copy of the book that ultimately started the Romantic movement, Lyrical Ballads,” says Taylor.
Highlights
Taylor says the cottage’s unique atmosphere is its biggest draw: “When you walk into the rooms, it is easy to picture Coleridge writing beside the fire and the family living their day-to-day lives.” The house is also very hands-on – visitors can write with a quill, dress up in Georgian garb, and sit beside Coleridge’s log fire.
Visitors
11,241 visitors from 10 March to 4 November 2012.
Sticky moments
During the redevelopment, the team struggled to get the chimney in the second parlour room to draw, although this has since been sorted out.
“Smoke would continually fill the room meaning that all we could do was admire the fire from the outside looking in through the window,” Taylor says. “On the plus side, Coleridge wrote about smoke-filled rooms, so at least we had the historical accuracy down to a tee.”
Survival tip?
“Keep it fresh and don’t become complacent,” says Taylor.
Future plans
The cottage would like to acquire more of the poet’s possessions, namely his wife Sara’s recipe book, written before she married Coleridge. “We are also looking forward to establishing a Georgian-themed vegetable plot,” Taylor says.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleridge-cottage/