£2.5 million to support Wordsworth Trust in securing the future of Rydal Mount
The Julia Rausing Trust today announces a £2.5 million grant to support Wordsworth Trust in securing the future of Rydal Mount, the final home of world-renowned poet William Wordsworth.
The Trust’s support will enable Wordsworth Trust to acquire the historic property, which had faced an uncertain future after rising operating costs made its current model unsustainable. The acquisition will ensure that Rydal Mount is preserved for public benefit and protected for future generations.
Wordsworth Trust already manages Wordsworth Grasmere, the visitor destination based at Dove Cottage, and delivers educational and community programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds. Through the acquisition, Wordsworth Trust plans to expand this work and deepen public engagement with Wordsworth’s life and legacy.
Simon Fourmy, Chief Executive of The Julia Rausing Trust, said: “Helping to preserve the UK’s cultural heritage is an important part of The Julia Rausing Trust’s mission, and we are pleased to support Wordsworth Trust in the landmark acquisition of Rydal Mount. As the long-time home of William Wordsworth, the house offers a unique insight into the poet’s life, and charitable stewardship will ensure it remains a place where generations can engage with his legacy. We hope that this acquisition will provide a strong foundation for the Wordsworth Trust to expand its educational and community programmes over time.”
Michael McGregor, Wordsworth Trust Director, said: “We are delighted that there is going to be continued public access to Rydal Mount. The news of its sale came as a cautionary tale of how precarious the Wordsworth’s’ heritage in the Lake District has become. Having worked closely with the owners of Rydal Mount for many years we were able to have early and open discussions with them regarding its future. However, the purchase would not have been possible without The Julia Rausing Trust and the Charlotte Aitken Trust, whose generosity has enabled us to save and protect this important Wordsworth property for future generations. Acquiring Rydal Mount gives us an opportunity to tell a much richer story about the lives and works of William and Dorothy Wordsworth.”
Photo credit: Cumbria Tourism.
18th March 2026