NT Hardy's Cottage

19/01/2022

This page will no longer be monitored. Head over to our National Trust North and West Dorset page to follow what we are up to >>

Caring for three literary houses, coast and countryside in North and West Dorset.

03/12/2021

Due to staff shortages, Hardy's Cottage will be closed on Saturday 4th December. If you have booked a visit for this date, we will be in touch soon. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. The visitor centre, cafe and Thorncombe Woods remain open as usual.

Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods

01/09/2021

Here is the ancient floor,
Footworn and hollowed and thin,
Here was the former door
Where the dead feet walked in.

She sat here in her chair,
Smiling into the fire;
He who played stood there,
Bowing it higher and higher.

Childlike, I danced in a dream;
Blessings emblazoned that day;
Everything glowed with a gleam;
Yet we were looking away!

The Self-Unseeing
Thomas Hardy

23/07/2021

We can't wait to welcome you this summer.

We're following Government guidance and lifting social distancing rules and other Covid restrictions at Hardy's Cottage. The safety of visitors, staff and volunteers remains our top priority.

Although we're no longer required to wear a face covering, we welcome anyone who wishes to wear one and we'll continue to provide hand sanitiser and stick to our high standards of cleanliness. Thanks for your support and for showing kindness and respect as we move into this next phase together.

25/06/2021

Happy from Odi, our gardener Caps Browning Smith's lovely friend 😄

24/04/2021

Beautiful blossoms are blooming in the orchard at Hardy’s Cottage. Have you seen any blossom near you this spring? You can share your blossom photos using – we’d love to see!

12/05/2020

Before we temporarily closed Hardy's Cottage we had running a family trail with a theme of herbal medicine. To celebrate the power and wonder of herbs, here's something from the trail which you can make at home: a herbal sock bath.

01/05/2020

The Cottage may be closed but Corvidae Ltd, the design company which produced the virtual tour of the Cottage for the National Trust, has kindly supplied us with this 360 degree view of the Parlour, to enjoy in the meantime.

01/05/2020

A 360 degree view of Granny's Kitchen, courtesy of Corvidae Ltd, the company which produced the excellent virtual tour of the Cottage for the National Trust a few years ago.

23/03/2020