The Hardy Family's Cottage. Photograph (2002) by Philip V. Allingham. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned the image and (2) link your document to this URL.]
The family home at Higher Bockhampton, near Dorchester, Dorset, where Thomas the novelist was born on 2 June 1840 to Thomas Hardy and his wife Jemima (nee Hand). The thatched cottage was built by John Hardy (1755-1821) for his eldest son, Thomas (the novelist's grandfather) and his bride (Mary Head of Fawley in Berkshire) in 1800. The novelist was born in the room indicated by the upper left window. In his study (centre window) he wrote both Under the Greenwood Tree and Far From the Madding Crowd. It may well be the basis for such other Hardy cottages as that in "The Three Strangers."
Last modified 19 April 2024