John Clare Cottage, located in Helpston, North Cambridgeshire, is the birthplace of John Clare—one of Britain’s greatest poets and an important early environmentalist. His work celebrates the beauty of the natural world and laments the destruction of rural landscapes, themes that are more relevant than ever in today’s environmental crisis. The cottage, now a museum, stands as a powerful tribute to Clare’s life and message, offering visitors an immersive experience of his world and the landscapes that shaped him.

However, the historic thatched roof is now in urgent need of repair. Without essential rethatching, we risk not only damage to this nationally significant site but also the loss of a space that continues to inspire people of all ages with Clare’s poetry and his deep belief in our shared and timeless right to nature.

The John Clare Trust is committed to preserving Clare’s home and expanding its role as a centre for learning, creativity, and engagement with the natural world. Our future plans include further emphasising Clare’s pioneering environmental awareness and providing greater insight into his struggles with mental health. We are also working with partners to improve access to and the biodiversity of Clare Country—the landscape surrounding the cottage, which inspired so much of Clare’s poetry. But before we can bring this vision fully to life, we must secure the cottage’s structural integrity.

We need your help to raise the funds required to rethatch John Clare Cottage, safeguarding its future and ensuring it remains a place of inspiration for generations to come. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to preserving Clare’s legacy and sharing his vital message about nature, poetry, and our responsibility to the environment.