Hardy's Cottage

Hardy's Cottage is a small, thatched cob-and-thatch cottage in the hamlet of Higher Bockhampton, where the novelist Thomas Hardy was born and spent his early years. Run by the National Trust, it suits families who enjoy stories of the past, rural Victorian life and a gentle walk. Visitors go in on a guided tour of the rooms, then wander the traditional cottage garden and the old orchard. The approach to the cottage runs through woodland that Hardy knew as a boy, so a walk there is part of the outing. A visitor centre near the car park has a café, toilets and displays about Hardy and the local landscape. Because the cottage is small, numbers are limited and booking ahead is advised. The site works well for a relaxed half day, with the garden and paths giving younger children room to move.