Tennyson (1809-1892)

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was a remarkable man, who led a remarkable life.
Bag Enderby c. Nev Gurnhill

He was born in the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1809

Alfred, Lord Tennyson was the most successful poet of Victorian times and is still read and loved by many today.  All across the Lincolnshire Wolds, Tennyson's inspirational haunts can be discovered - his home village of Somersby, Bag Enderby where his father was rector, his school in Louth, his growing social life at Harrington Hall, inspirational spots like Stockwith Mill where the River Lymn babbles along and Tealby where his grandfather lived. 

St. Margaret's Church, Somersby.  This quaint 15th century church is not just any old church, this is where Alfred Lord Tennyson was baptised, where his father was Rector, and the hamlet of Somersby is where the bard spent the first 28 years of his life.  St Margaret's' church and Somersby are an obvious starting point to discover more about Tennyson – but did you know about the ‘Tennyson Trail'? This trail takes you to key places in the Lincolnshire Wolds and beyond that played an important part in Tennyson's life. Many of the places on the trail have information boards about Tennyson, his life and his friends – why not get out and about, help towards the preservation of Somersby Church and discover more about this iconic Lincolnshire Legend.

Discover Lord Tennyson's Somersby or for further information or to download leaflets (including the Tennyson Trail)

The Tennyson Research Centre, newly housed in Lincolnshire Archives, is the most significant collection on Alfred Tennyson in the world.

For primary material related to Tennyson, the research centre has no equal. Tennyson's library and those of many family members are held with manuscripts, proofs, letters, photographs and personal belongings and papers.
Researchers can study surrounded by the libraries and personalia and the more casual visitors can arrange a ‘tour' to see some of the highlights which include:
• The letter of sympathy from Queen Victoria to Tennyson on the death of his son
• The copy of Through the Looking Glass that Lewis Carroll gave to Tennyson
• Prince Albert's letter to Tennyson asking for his autograph
• The altered drafts of The Charge of The Light Brigade
• Cameron's photographs of ‘King Arthur'
• Hand-illustrated editions by enthusiastic amateurs

Groups and individual visits to the Research Centre are very welcome by appointment.  The nature of the archive would, like Tennyson's own work in his time, suit all ages and many interests.

The Lincolnshire Archives website contains the catalogues to nearly all the holdings of the Tennyson Research Centre. Put ‘TRC' in the search box to see all the letters, libraries, images and papers and ‘LCNTE' in the search box for all the possessions and paraphernalia. Online exhibitions and learning resources are available.

The centre is open Monday to Wednesday 9.30am to 2.30pm. Arrangements are made for longer research visits and visits later in the week. Please contact the centre to book. Telephone: 01522 782040 or email: Lincolnshire.archives@lincolnshire.gov.uk. You can follow the Tennyson Research Centre on twitter @TennysonLincs

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Contact Us

Tennyson Research Centre
Lincolnshire Archives
St Rumbold Street
Lincoln, LN2 5AB
Tel: 01522 782 040
Email: Lincolnshire.archives@lincolnshire.gov.uk