“There is no joy but calm” – a line from Tennyson’s The Lotos-Eaters – is the theme of the Words by the Water/Mirehouse poetry competition, closing date 10 February.

Mirehouse historic house and gardens at Keswick runs an annual poetry competition in tribute to past writers connected to the house, including Tennyson, Wordsworth and Southey.

The judge is Helen Dunmore. The first prize is £350, and the winning poem and eight highly commended poems will be displayed on the Mirehouse Poetry Walk and on the Mirehouse website. The eight commended poets will receive a box of new books worth £100.

Entries should be poems up to 40 lines. The entry fee is £4 per poem. Cheques should be made payable to Words by the Water, and sent with entries to Mirehouse Poetry Competition, Droridge Farm, Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6JG. More details