Press release
For immediate use
August 22, 2014
Head To Dove Cottage For Haiku, Origami And More!
A chance to learn Japanese, try your hand at making an origami animal, master calligraphy and compose haiku
poems is on offer if you head to the Lake District on August 30 and 31, when Dove Cottage and the
Wordsworth Museum is holding a ‘Weekend of Japanese Culture.’
The Grasmere-based cultural attraction is offering the Japanese activities for free, on a drop-in basis, to
complement the Japanese theme of the Wordsworth Museum’s ‘Wordsworth and Basho: Walking Poets’
exhibition.
Entrance to the Museum to view the exhibition is included within admission to Dove Cottage, the former
home of Wordsworth. Tickets cost £7.75 for an adult and £4.50 for a child, with family tickets available for
£17.20.
The Japanese theme to the exhibition is highly evident the moment exhibits are viewed, with Japanese
clothing, haiku poems and Japanese scrolls on display the moment the visitor enters the exhibition space.
The exhibition focuses on the poetry, manuscripts and notebooks of William and Dorothy Wordsworth and
the scrolls of Japanese poet, Basho and a cornucopia of new creations by eighteen acclaimed contemporary
artists, musicians and poets. These British and Japanese artists have responded to the historical written
words to create stunning, fresh and radical works of poetry, glass, calligraphy, sculpture, painting, design,
ceramics
By using artistic responses to words written centuries ago, poetry is brought to life for both adults and
children, in a most dynamic and thought-provoking way. Breath-taking exhibits encourage visitors to explore
the poetry that inspired each particular writer.
Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum will be open between 9.30am and 5pm during the Weekend of
Japanese Culture. Drop-in activities are available from 10am to 4pm and last admission is at 4.30pm. Although
free, please book for the Japanese activities at www.wordsworth.org.uk so that enough materials are
available.
- ENDS For further information, please contact:
Paul Kleian on 015394 63510 or by email at p.kleian@wordsworth.org.uk
Notes to editors:
 Dove Cottage in Grasmere, Cumbria is the iconic former home of William Wordsworth, where he lived
and wrote his most famous poetry.
 Dove Cottage, the Wordsworth Museum and Art Gallery are open daily from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (last
admission 5 pm). Winter opening hours apply November to February. Closed for three weeks during
January for restoration. Please check our website for details www.wordsworth.org.uk
 The Jerwood Centre is open by appointment to all with a research interest.
 The work of the Wordsworth Trust is funded by a combination of income from visitors to Dove
Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum, donations from private and corporate sponsors and trusts,
and Arts Council England.

The Wordsworth Trust produces a varied and exciting programme of events and exhibitions
throughout the year. Details from www.wordsworth.org.uk or phone for a brochure.