Hardy Cottage Appeal

We need to raise £10,000 to undertake urgent restoration works at Hardy's cottage. The Birthplace of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy in 1840.

Hardy’s cottage is now in need of some urgent repairs. The cottage is prone to frequent flooding on the ground floor. We need to repair the damage caused by the floods as well as prevent future flooding to protect this historic building. The roof also needs re-thatching, the cottage has a rare species of thatch moss growing on it so we are seeking advice from specialist ecologists as to how best to undertake this work.

The restoration works are part of the spirit of Hardy's Birthplace Project which  is focused on providing visitors to the cottage with a more holistic experience and to will help people to better understand how Hardy’s Dorset roots influenced his achievements. In autumn 2013 work begins to build a visitors centre within the Thorncombe woods at the site of the cottage for visitors and education groups and Hardy enthusiasts. It will feature a learning space for school and community groups.

We need your help to raise the money we desperately need to carry out the restoration works