Fodor's Expert Review Hardy's Cottage
Thomas Hardy's grandfather built this small thatch-and-cob cottage, where the writer was born in 1840, and little has changed since the family left. Here Hardy grew up and wrote many of his early works, including Far from the Madding Crowd, at a desk you can still see. Access is by foot only, via a walk through ancient woodland or down a country lane from the parking lot, where there's a visitor center with information about the surrounding landscape and trails that let you follow in Hardy's footsteps. Admission is by pre-booked guided tour only.