Celebrating Southey

As part of our Storytellers project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this year we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of Keswick’s most famous characters – Poet Laureate and writer of the Three Bears tale Robert Southey. Southey was a prolific and influential poet, essayist, historian, travel-writer and biographer. His poetry paved the way for writers such as Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and – later in the nineteenth century – Robert Browning and Alfred Tennyson. Southey and his wife moved to Keswick in 1803 after the death of their first child. They lived at Greta Hall, which they initially shared with the family of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, their brother-in-law. They became familiar figures to local people and Southey’s fame brought visitors from across the world to the town.

We are delighted to be celebrating his anniversary with a series of FREE SOUTHEY 250 events in August, both at the museum and at Crosthwaite Parish Church

Robert Southey Guided Walk

Saturday 10th August 10-11am

The Keswick we know today still contains many places that Southey was familiar with, as well as sites which have shaped Keswick’s cultural legacy. Join Dr Charlotte May, on a gentle walk through the town including many significant Southey sites including access to the grounds of Greta Hall.

Starts at Keswick Museum, finishes at Crosthwaite Parish Church

Booking highly recommended via Eventbrite.

'Creating Flow' writing workshop

Saturday 10th August

11am - 12.30pm

A creative writing workshop for writers of all levels. Keswick and the Lakes have been attracting writers and providing inspiration for generations. This workshop will help you with gathering ideas and getting everyday inspiration to get your creative writing flowing. Suitable for writers aged 15+

Crosthwaite Parish Church

Free event, but booking highly recommended via Eventbrite.

Tortured Poets Department - creative crafts

Saturday 10th August

11am - 12.30pm Come and join our creative crafts session embracing the joys and aches of poetry. Learn what life was like for poets like William Wordsworth, Robert Southey and their friends, and how they keep inspiring us today!

For children age 5+ and their parents or carers

Crosthwaite Parish Church

Free event, but booking highly recommended viaEventbrite

The Life and Works of Robert Southey - panel discussion

Saturday 10th August

1.30-2.30pm Dr Charlotte May with guests from the University of Cumbria and the University of Lancaster specialising in the Romantic poets, will be joined by local author of The Mountain Republic Phillipa Harrison, to discuss the works, inspirations and lasting cultural impact of Robert Southey.

Crosthwaite Parish Church

Free event, but booking highly recommended via Eventbrite.

The Southey Collection

Monday 12th August

12 noon - 3pm We will have additional objects from our Southey collection on display at Keswick Museum from 12 noon to 3pm including books and letters, items from his library in Greta Hall, paintings of Southey and a cast of his death mask. Members of our curatorial team will be on hand to discuss the collection, and the significance of Southey throughout the event.

Standard museum admission applies. Part of Access All Areas funded by Arts Council England