Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre

Current situation at Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Wood

Thorncombe Wood and the car park are open.
(please pay and display, including National Trust members)

Changes to our café

The Under the Greenwood Tree Café is open from 10am Tuesday to Sunday (weather permitting).
For updates, check their Facebook page.

Visitor Centre closed

The toilets will be accessible during café opening hours and possibly at other times depending on Ranger staff availability.
Events are postponed until further notice.

Hardy's Cottage

Hardy's Cottage is closed until further notice.

Visiting Hardy's Birthplace

Facilities, parking and directions for our award winning, fully accessible Visitor Centre

go to Visiting Hardy's Birthplace

Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve

This magical pocket of mixed woodland and heath is listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory

go to Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve

Under the Greenwood Tree Cafe

A family run cafe serving delicious homemade and locally sourced food

go to Under the Greenwood Tree Cafe

Hardy's Cottage

Visit the National Trust website for visitor information about nearby Hardy's Cottage

go to Hardy's Cottage

Events

Keep up-to-date with the latest events taking place at Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Wood

go to Events

Visitors tip toe through the foxgloves in Thorncombe Woods

Get involved

The project invites everyone from the community to experience this area in new and exciting ways

go to Get involved

Hardy's Birthplace Project

The Project is a partnership between Dorset Council and the National Trust

go to Hardy's Birthplace Project

A-summers-day-in-Thorncombe-Wood-by-Sally-Cooke4

of the wood project

Helping visitors to understand and connect to Thorncombe Wood and how it is managed

go to of the wood project

Visitor Centre opening times

Open all year round
Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Hardy's Cottage opening times

March to October
Open 7 days a week, 11am to 5pm
November to February
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11am to 4pm