THE Lake District is vying with dozens of other UK locations to be shortlisted as a World Heritage site. The entire national park has been confirmed as one of this country’s 38 contenders for the status, conferred by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Culture ministers now have the task of reducing [...]

Mitchells of Cockermouth had originally hoped to top a quarter of a million with its two-day Fine Art Sale last week, but with unprecedented levels of advance commission bids and requests for telephone bidding, it soon became clear it was going to make much more. As the hammer fell on the final lot last Friday [...]

LATE-blooming daffodils have put spring on hold in the Lake District. Cumbria Tourism has launched a Daffs Watch Appeal to encourage people to look out for the yellow perennials, which usually flower in February. “It’s virtually unheard of not to have seen a single daffodil in the Lake District by the middle of March,” said [...]

A HANDWRITTEN William Wordsworth manuscript is one of the items going under the hammer at a predicted quarter million pound fine arts sale later this month. The auction at Mitchell’s of Cockermouth will feature the manuscript that includes lines from the Lake District Romantic poet’s work “The Excursion” that was written at Rydal Mount on [...]

William Wordsworth’s home from 1813 until his death in 1850, containing family portraits and personal possessions. Extensive gardens landscaped by the poet, with terraces, rare shrubs and magnificent views. Open all year – Ambleside. Telephone: 015394 33002 Email: info@rydalmount.co.uk Website: www.rydalmount.co.uk

Beautifully preserved home of William Wordsworth, with a guided tour. The adjacent award-winning Wordsworth Museum displays priceless national treasures. Tea rooms & bookshop. Open all year except January – Grasmere. Telephone: 015394 35544 Email: enquiries@wordsworth.org.uk Website: www.wordsworth.org.uk