John Clare Cottage, where poetry and nature intertwine
Explore the childhood home of John Clare, relax in the café, and wander through the peaceful gardens inspired by Clare’s love of nature.
The cottage offers a unique opportunity to connect with his poetry, his passion for the natural world, and his remarkable story as the “peasant poet.”
Plan Your Visit
Clare Cottage celebrates the life and legacy of John Clare, one of England’s most renowned nature poets and an early environmentalist. The cottage was Clare’s family home and has been restored to reflect its historical charm.
Visitors can explore the museum, enjoy the café, and wander through the peaceful gardens inspired by Clare’s love of nature.
Address: John Clare Cottage, Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7ED
Who was John Clare?
John Clare may not have been widely known during his lifetime, but today he is considered one of the most important poets of the 19th century.
His poems continue to inspire readers and scholars, particularly for their poignant reflections on the loss of rural landscapes and the impact of the land enclosures on ordinary people.
Clare’s work reminds us to appreciate the beauty of nature and to listen to the voices of those who have been affected by change.
Opening Times and Prices
The cottage is currently closed for the winter but will re-open on 7th May 2025.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Thursday: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Friday: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 5pm
Prices
Adult – £9 Child – £6
Family – £24 1 adult, 2 children – £16
Group Adult – £8 Group Child – £4
Getting here
By Car
For visitors driving, limited free parking is available in the surrounding streets. For sat nav the post code is PE6 7ED. View on map
By Train
From London Kings Cross station to Peterborough station.
From Birmingham New Street to Stamford station.
From the train station you would need to get a cab or a bus the remainder of the journey to the cottage.
By Bus
Delaine Bus Service 201 runs between Peterborough and Stamford (Mon – Sat only)
Details can found on the Delaine website.
Facilities
Toilets, cafe, shop.
There is no dedicated parking but there is some free on street parking nearby.
Accessibility
Due to it’s age, unfortunately the cottage is not all wheelchair accessible however the ground floor, cafe and aspects of garden are accessible to wheelchair users.
Please not that there are steep stairs to the upstairs of cottage. There is a video of the upstairs available for those who cannot access it.
Things to do
The Museum entrance price includes the following:
– entrance to the cottage, dovecote and gardens
– audio tour of the cottage and of Helpston village
– free local walk leaflets
The café is open to the public – no admission ticket is required
Things to do at John Clare Cottage
Cottage Museum
Step back in time as you wander through John Clare’s lovingly restored cottage. Take our audio tours of both cottage and village and be inspired by John Clare’s beautiful poetry.
Gardens and Walks
Wander through the gardens or follow our walks through the village and local countryside, where adults and children alike can discover the wonders of nature and be inspired by John Clare’s poetry.
Café
Open to the general public our relaxing café offers hot and cold drinks, light meals, snacks and cakes.
We have both indoor and outdoor seating.
Explore Our Visual Journey
Discover the Beauty of John Clare Cottage
"The Past"
“O the joy of the woods, and the song of the birds,
When the golden sun was high,
And the air was full of a soft murmur,
With the breeze that whispered by.”
Keira – The next few modules are alternative ways to display the same information – I have included them so you can get an idea of other possible layouts. The site is modular which means that I have built each section as a single entity and stored these is the site library – so they can be inserted, deleted, moved around and aletered with ease.
Opening times
Address: John Clare Cottage, Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7ED
The cottage is currently closed for the winter but will re-open on 7th May 2025.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Thursday: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Friday: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 5pm
Prices
Adult – £9
Child – £6
Family – £24
1 adult, 2 children – £16
Group Adult – £8
Group Child – £4
Getting here
By Car
For visitors driving, limited parking is available in the surrounding streets. For sat nav the post code is PE6 7ED.
By Train
From London Kings Cross station to Peterborough station.
From Birmingham New Street to Stamford station.
From the train station you would need to get a cab or a bus the remainder of the journey to the cottage.
By Bus
Delaine Bus Service 201 runs between Peterborough and Stamford (Mon – Sat only)
Details can found on the Delaine website.
Facilities
Toilets, cafe, shop.
There is no dedicated parking but there is plenty of free on street parking nearby.
Accessibility
Due to it’s age, unfortunately the cottage is not all wheelchair accessible however the ground floor, cafe and aspects of garden are accessible to wheelchair users.
Please not that there are steep stairs to the upstairs of cottage. There is a video of the upstairs available for those who cannot access it.
Things to do
The Museum Entrance price includes the following:
– entrance to the cottage, dovecote and gardens
– audio tour of the cottage and of Helpston village
– free local walk leaflets
Café
is open to the public – no admission ticket is required
Plan your visit
Cottage Museum
Step back in time as you wander through John Clare’s lovingly restored cottage.
Take our audio tours of both cottage and village and be inspired by John Clare’s beautiful poetry.
Gardens and Walks
Wander through the gardens or follow our walks through the village and local countryside, where adults and children alike can discover the wonders of nature and be inspired by John Clare’s poetry.
Café
Open to both cottage visitors and the general public our relaxing café offers hot and cold drinks, light meals, snacks and cakes.
We have both indoor and outdoor seating.
Plan Your Visit to John Clare Cottage
John Clare Cottage celebrates the life and legacy of John Clare, one of England’s most renowned nature poets and an early environmentalist. Located in the village of Helpston, near Peterborough, the cottage was Clare’s family home and has been restored to reflect its historical charm.
Visitors can explore the museum, enjoy the café, and wander through the peaceful gardens inspired by Clare’s love of nature.
Opening times and pricing
Your content goes here e.g the cottage is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am until 5.00pm
Price List
Adult £9.00
Child £6.00
You can book online or pay on arrival – link to booking page
Facilities
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Things to see and do
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Getting here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Upcoming Events at John Clare Cottage
Poetry Reading: An Evening with Clare
Join us for an enchanting evening of poetry readings, celebrating the works of John Clare amidst the serene backdrop of his historic home.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
FREE
Garden Walk and Talk
Experience the beauty of our gardens with a guided tour, exploring the flora that inspired Clare’s poetry.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
FREE
Family Fun Day
Bring the whole family for a day of fun activities, crafts, and exploration at the cottage and gardens.
Saturday, December 16, 2023
FREE
Winter Solstice Celebration
Celebrate the winter solstice with us, featuring storytelling, music, and a warm community gathering.
Thursday, December 21, 2023
FREE
The Heart of John Clare's Legacy
Nestled in a quaint English country village, John Clare Cottage offers a glimpse into the life of one of the Romantic era’s most cherished poets. This historic site in Helpston near Peterborough, where Clare lived from 1793 to 1832, has been lovingly preserved.
Visitors can take an audio tour through the restored rooms and enjoy gardens that reflect his love of the natural world. Discover the story of a poet with a deep connection to nature who captured the essence of a rapidly changing world through his heartfelt verses.
Cottage museum, gardens, walks and café.
"Autumn"
“The leaves are falling, the trees are bare,
The winds are cold, the sky is bare,
The golden fruits of autumn fall,
And nature answers the winter’s call.”
What Our Visitors Say
“A truly magical place! The cottage and gardens are a testament to Clare’s love for nature. A must-visit for poetry lovers!” – Emily R.
“Our family had a wonderful time exploring the cottage and learning about John Clare’s life. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable.” – Mark T.
“Visiting John Clare Cottage was like stepping back in time. The peaceful surroundings and rich history made for an unforgettable experience.” – Sarah L.