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You are here: Things To Do > Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods
The Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre is a gateway for local people and visitors alike to discover more about Thomas Hardy's early life and enjoy the local landscape which inspired his works.
The Visitor Centre is located on the edge of Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve and a short walk from Hardy's Cottage.
Thorncombe Woods is home to a great diversity of trees including mature Oaks, Sweet Chestnut and Beech. It is a mixed woodland and heathland nature reserve, covering 26 hectares. Explore the paths and connecting rights to way to Puddletown Forest and Dorchester.
Running through the site is a well preserved Roman road. This Scheduled Ancient Monument, would have stretched from Dorchester to Badbury Rings near Wimborne.
2021 Opening (1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021) |
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* Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre is open daily from 10am until 4pm
Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
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Free Admission | Free |
Free entry to the Woods and Visitor Centre.
Parking charges apply - £1 for 2 hours and £3 for all day. This is a Dorset Council pay and display car park, not National Trust.
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