Keats House

Across charmingly restored rooms, a number of exhibits illuminate the life and works of Keats, shining a light on his passions, troubles, and loves.

Keats House—or Wentworth Place as it was then known—was built between 1814 and 1815. It was at first a pair of semi-detached homes, designed to look like a single, detached house. It was owned by Charles Wentworth Dilke, a critic and writer, and Charles Brown, a poet and close friend of Keats.

After the loss of one of Keats’ younger brothers to tuberculosis, Charles Brown invited the young poet to move in with him. Keats moved into the house in December 1818 and enjoyed a period of great productivity and inspiration. He wrote many of his cherished odes whilst resident at Wentworth Place, including ‘Ode to a Nightingale’, which he is said to have written whilst sat under a plum tree in the house’s garden.

When Dilke left the neighbouring home, Fanny Brawne moved in with her mother and siblings. Keats and Fanny fell in love, with Keats proposing in 1819. Keats became ill with tuberculosis, the same illness that had killed his mother and brother. When the cause of his ill health became apparent, the engaged pair could not meet in person, and were forced to communicate through love letters, passed between the two homes.

Keats left London for Italy in 1820, taking advice that the warmer climate may improve his health. He stayed in contact with his betrothed. His condition did not improve. John Keats died on the 23rd February 1821, unmarried and just 25 years old, in Rome.

The houses were joined together in 1838, and opened to the public as the Keats Memorial House in 1925.