The situation and grounds are beautiful...we walked there along the river from Dorchester. However unless you are a literary afficionado there is little in the cottage of great interest, although the guides are excellent. We were happy with what we saw but it would be boring for children as it has not been updated and there is little hands on... More

Expensive and somewhat disappointing. Helpful and knowledgeable staff. No original furniture. Lovely location.

a national trust property, as a member I try to visit as many properties as possible. this is small but worth a visit. pleasant walks nearby.

A truly remarkable historical relic. Its not a recreation or latter day imagining of a 19c workers cottage, it's the real thing, saved because of its association with Hardy. It's also astonishing and evocative to be in the rooms he was born,slept and lived in when he wrote his early novels. If you like his novels you will have a... More

Best visited on a walk to take full advantage of the location and to visit other Hardy haunts in the vicinity. Good walk from Dorchester -leaflets available in Dorchester tourist information

well worth a visit to see how the great man lived and where he got his insperation from for his books.a very tramquil place.a must if in dorset.

We have lived in Dorset for 40 years but this was the first visit to Hardy's cottage, very well worth it, the garden is so free and very colourful, we sat there for ages just taking it all in, going into the cottage one could feel the presence of the poet writer, will go again.

Great location, such knowledgeable volunteers. So interesting - this little cottage was state of the art when Mr Hardy senior built it.

Nice walk from the carpark through the woodland. Warm (from the guide) and smoky (from the open fire) welcome inside the cottage. Stuffed animals and animal skulls, and uneven upstairs floors with steep stairs. Well tended garden.