A VISITOR to William Wordsworth’s home complained he was not in — and had to be told he’s a dead poet because he didn’t know it.
Tourists had paid £12.50 for entry to the long-deceased literary giant’s Lake District property.
But one, called Peter, said in an online review his family’s trip to Rydal Mount was marred by William’s no-show.
He wrote: “Despite all the publicity about it being the home of William Wordsworth, he wasn’t in and when I asked when he would be home all I got was blank stares.”
A reply from the current owner, a Wordsworth relative, also warned him about two other Lakeland writers — John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter.
It said: “I am sorry you missed him — he sadly died on 23rd April, 1850. However, I am his great great great great grandson — and I was here.
“I hope you will not be similarly disappointed if you visit Beatrix Potter’s house or Ruskin’s place at Coniston. But I should warn you that they are also dead.”
Another person wrote: “Some people are spectacularly stupid.”
Wordsworth, whose poems included I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, lived there from 1813 to his death aged 80.