Thomas Hardy's Cottage, House museum in Higher Bockhampton, England.
Thomas Hardy's Cottage is a thatched cob-walled house from the early 1800s, located on the edge of Thorncombe Wood near Stinsford in Dorset, England. It is now managed as a historic house museum and is listed as a Grade II building.
The cottage was built by Thomas Hardy's great-grandfather and remained in the Hardy family for several generations. Hardy was born there in 1840 and lived in the house until 1874, when he moved away from the area.
The cottage sits on the edge of Thorncombe Wood and is surrounded by a small garden that is still maintained today. Visitors can walk through the rooms and get a sense of how a craftsman's family lived in rural Dorset during the 1800s.
The property is managed by the National Trust and sits in a rural setting that is best explored on foot. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the paths through Thorncombe Wood nearby can be uneven.
Hardy wrote parts of his early novels in this small house, even though space was very limited and shared with his family. The room where he is believed to have worked can still be seen during a visit today.
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