Clouds Hill

Clouds Hill cottage is situated in a woodland location on a minor road adjacent to Bovington Camp, a tank training ground where TE Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") was serving in the Tank Corps as "Private Shaw".

John Bruce, who joined the the army at the same time as T.E. Lawrence, is reported as stating years after Lawrence's death in a motorcycle accident that Bruce was tricked by Lawrence into birching him regularly: Lawrence apparently showed Bruce letters purporting to come from Lawrence's uncle who said Lawrence had stolen money, the uncle needed proof that Lawrence would be regularly birched until it had all been paid back. It's impossible to confirm this story or Bruce's assertion that Lawrence had a "flagellation disorder".

The brick cottage at Clouds Hill was bought by TE Lawrence in 1925 and renovated with the assistance of Pioneer Sergeant Knowles; it has four rooms and a free-standing garage suitable for motorbikes.