Alfred, Lord Tennyson

English poet and Poet Laureate (1809-1892)

Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria’s reign Alfred, Lord Tennyson came to Haslemere in 1868.

His poetry captured the sentiments of the age and inspired a huge following.

By moving to a remote spot on Blackdown he hoped to escape the attentions of his fans. To warn them off on his long walks, he carried a dog whistle.

Whilst living here, Tennyson finished the last poems in his Idylls of the King series, based on the legends of King Arthur.

Image courtesy of Haslemere Educational Museum