Hardy's Cottage (National Trust)

Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in this small cob and thatch cottage and from here he would walk to school every day in Dorchester, three miles away. It was built by his great-grandfather and is little altered since the family left. The interior has been furnished by the NT (see also Max Gate). His early novels Under the Greenwood Tree and Far from the Madding Crowd were written here. It has a charming cottage garden.Opening arrangements for 2006 not confirmed at time of going to press. Please tel. property for details. No WC