A MULTI-million pound transformation at Town End, the hamlet near Grasmere which was the home of William Wordsworth, is set to be unveiled to celebrate the famous poet's 250th birthday.

The National Lottery-backed project will include the opening of a newly-restored Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth lived, on April 7 - the exact anniversary of his birth.

The updates are part of the year-long 'Reimagining Wordsworth' anniversary celebrations being held by the Wordsworth Trust.

Michael McGregor, director of the trust, said: "Inspired by Wordsworth’s own wish that his poetry ‘live and do good’, Reimagining Wordsworth will also celebrate the enduring significance and relevance of the poet in fresh and exciting ways.

"We look forward to welcoming diverse audiences from across the world to Wordsworth Grasmere to experience, in Wordsworth’s words: ‘The one sensation that is here.’"

Developments at the soon-to-reopen Dove Cottage include:

lA restoration of the cottage's interior, with the aim of providing visitors with a taste of daily life as the poet would have known it.

lThe 'recreation' of Wordsworth's moss hut, originally built as a sanctuary for creativity in the Dove Cottage garden.

lA new courtyard and cafe.

The developments do not finish there, however, with an expanded museum set to open in summer of this year, featuring:

lNew galleries exploring Wordsworth's life, writing and ideas.

lA new rooftop viewing station allowing visitors to look out across the landscape.

lNew interpretations of Wordsworth's manuscripts offering visitors more interactive ways to engage with his work.

In total, the updates are costing £6.2m, backed by the National Lottery money and contributions from organisations such as South Lakeland District Council.

The reopening and anniversary on April 7 will be marked by a day of activities for all ages, including talks, tours and crafts.

Visit wordsworth.org.uk for more.