Clare Cottage

Address:
Woodgate
Helpston
Peterborough
Cambs
PE6 7ED

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Nearest Station: Peterborough and Stamford

Clare Cottage in Helpston was the home of John Clare, a 19th Century rural poet, for over 30 years.

John Clare was born in 1793 and spent most of his life in this area. Although enjoying literary success, he suffered with mental illness throughout his adult life, spending two periods in asylums in Epping and Northampton where he lived until his death in 1864. Following his death his body was brought back to Helpston and he is buried in the graveyard of St. Botolph’s Church.

The John Clare Trust purchased Clare Cottage in 2005. This historical attraction has been restored using traditional methods. The Cottage contains examples of his work, together with information about his life and how people lived in rural England in the early 19th Century.

The gardens have been planted with varieties which would have been seen in Clare’s time.

The attractive village of Helpston contains a number of historic buildings that were in use during Clare’s time.

Car parking for the attraction is available at the Exeter Arms Public House nearby.