Thomas Hardy's Cottage facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Hardy's Cottage
Thomas Hardy's Cottage
Type	Cob and thatch building
Location	Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, England, United Kingdom
Built	1800
Original use	Birthplace of author Thomas Hardy
Governing body	National Trust

Thomas Hardy's Cottage is a special old house in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, England. It's famous because it's where the well-known English writer, Thomas Hardy, was born in 1840. He lived in this cozy cottage for 34 years. During this time, he wrote some of his first and most famous books. Today, it's looked after by the National Trust and is a popular place for people to visit.

Welcome to Thomas Hardy's Cottage

This charming cottage is made from "cob," which is a mix of clay, sand, straw, and water. The roof is made of "thatch," which is dried straw or reeds. This style of building was common a long time ago. Thomas Hardy's great-grandfather built the cottage in the year 1800.

Who Was Thomas Hardy?

Thomas Hardy was a very important English author and poet. He was born in this cottage in 1840. He spent his childhood and young adult years here. He lived in the cottage until he was 34 years old.

While living in this house, he wrote two of his early novels. These were Under the Greenwood Tree, published in 1872, and Far from the Madding Crowd, which came out in 1874. These books helped him become a famous writer. He left the cottage when he got married to Emma Gifford.

A Special Home

The cottage has a lovely, traditional garden. This type of garden is called a "cottage garden." Inside the house, you can see furniture from the time period when Hardy lived there. While it's not the exact furniture the Hardy family used, it helps visitors imagine what life was like back then.

The cottage is located next to Thorncombe Wood. This is a beautiful woodland area. It's also only about three miles from Max Gate. Max Gate was another house that Thomas Hardy designed himself. He lived there with his wife, Emma Gifford, from 1885 until he passed away in 1928.

Protecting History

In 1956, Thomas Hardy's Cottage was given "listed building" status. This means it's a very important historical building. It is listed as Grade II on the National Heritage List for England. This status helps protect the cottage and its history for future generations. The National Trust now owns and cares for the property.

Visiting the Cottage Today

In 2012, a plan was approved to build a new visitor centre near the cottage. This project also included creating new walking paths in Thorncombe Wood. The project received a lot of support, including money from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It was a team effort between Dorset County Council and the National Trust. The new visitor centre officially opened its doors in September 2014. It helps people learn more about Thomas Hardy and his home.

See also

In Spanish: Casa de campo de Thomas Hardy para niños