Few authors have such strong associations with the natural and cultural heritage of their local area as Thomas Hardy. This cottage, where Hardy was born in 1840, was built of cob and thatch by his great-grandfather and it was from here that he wrote several of his novels including 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd'. The garden reflects most people's idea of a typical cottage garden with old fashined flowers, fruit trees and roses round the door.