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Clouds Hill
The rural retreat of T. E. Lawrence
King George V Road, Bovington, near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7NQ
Important notice
Clouds Hill is now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming visitors from mid March 2025.
Opening times for 18 December 2024
Asset Opening time Clouds Hill Closed House Closed Last entry one hour before closing.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £11.00 £10.00 Child £5.50 £5.00 Family £27.50 £25.00 1 adult + up to 3 children £16.50 £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Guided tour
Car park
Toilet
The cottage is accessed from the car park via a flat 90 yard footpath. Light levels in the cottage are low. Free parking for up to one hour.
Narrow corridors
Virtual tour
Seating available
By road
A35, from the west: From the A35, take the Tolpuddle Ball exit signposted Warmwell and Crossways. Turn left onto B3390. After approximately 3 miles, turn left at the crossroads, signposted Bovington Camp and Wareham. A little after a mile, take the turning on the right and Clouds Hill is immediately on your left. A35, from the east: Exit the A35 at the Bere Regis roundabout - take the first exit, signposted Bere Regis, Milborne St Andrew and Bovington Camp. Continue, following the road around to the left. After 2.5 miles, turn right for Bovington, Tincleton and Tank Museum. Continue for just over a mile, then take the next left and Clouds Hill is immediately on your left. From Wareham: Head west on the A352, signposted Wool and Dorchester. Look for signs for the Tank Museum, turning right at the roundabout signposted Bovington and the Tank Museum. After passing the Tank Museum (on your right) drive through Bovington, and Clouds Hill is approximately one mile north on the right.
Parking: Free for visitors.
On foot
From Moreton you can pick up the Lawrence Trail to reach Clouds Hill. To join the trail: follow the lane onto the unmade track which leads to a footbridge over the River Frome. Caution - busy road with limited footpath.
By train
Wool 3½ miles; Moreton 3½ miles. Wool is on the mainline from London, Waterloo to Weymouth, Dorset. The station is served by taxis. Moreton is also on the Waterloo to Weymouth mainline. From the station walk north past the Frampton Arms (on your right). Turn right into Station Road which leads to Moreton village (Lawrence is buried in the graveyard here). From Moreton you can pick up the Lawrence Trail to reach Clouds Hill. To join the trail: follow the lane onto the unmade track which leads to a footbridge over the River Frome. Caution - busy road with limited footpath.
By bicycle
King George V Road, Bovington, near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7NQ
Planning your visit
Article
Booking your visit to Clouds Hill
Clouds Hill is closed for the winter season. If you are planning a visit to Clouds Hill from March 2025 it is recommended you book your visit in advance. Find out more about how to book and what to expect when you arrive.
Article
History of Clouds Hill
Discover more about the history of those who lived at Clouds Hill, once a woodsman's cottage and then an isolated retreat for various residents including TE Lawrence.
Highlights
House
The rural retreat of T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Discover the atmospheric rooms where he sat down to write, read, listen to music and entertain friends.
The motorbike shed
Lawrence was passionate about motorbikes and owned several Brough Superiors during his time at Clouds Hill. They were tailor-made for him and he kept them in this shed. Now the shed contains a display about Lawrence's life.
The view from the hill
In the evenings Lawrence loved to climb up to the top of the small hill overlooking the cottage. You can do the same now, perhaps while eating your sandwiches at the picnic bench.
Brass rubbing
As a young boy, TE Lawrence was fascinated with medieval history and brass rubbing. Visitors to Clouds Hill now have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and complete their own set of rubbings from zinc plaques.
Things to see and do
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Things to do at Clouds Hill
Explore inside the cottage where Lawrence of Arabia, TE Lawrence, sat to write, read and relax away from army life, and discover the shed where he tended to his beloved motorbike.
Places to stay
The Bakehouse
A charming, rustic conversion, this holiday cottage has wonky beams and countryside views.
North Cottage
A cosy cottage attached to the larger farmhouse, with views of open heath and woodland.
Vineyard Farm Cottage
Sitting just below Corfe Castle, this thatched cottage has a view of the thousand-year-old ruins from its terrace.
1 Heathland Cottages
With views over the Purbeck Hills from the bedroom, this unusual cottage makes a quirky escape.
2 Heathland Cottages
A quirky holiday cottage in a former isolation hospital with amazing views over the Purbeck Hills.
Middlebere Farmhouse
A picture-perfect thatch cottage with modern rustic interiors, close to Poole Harbour.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Clouds Hill
'I've a hut in a wood near camp wherein I spend my spare evenings' - the words of the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, about Clouds Hill.
This tiny isolated cottage in the heart of Dorset was the home of an extraordinary man: T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. He furnished the rooms of his rural retreat to his own personal taste and they are much as he left them, giving an insight into the complex personality of the writer, warrior and friend of Thomas Hardy.
Please note: Because the cottage is much as Lawrence left it, we keep light levels low to protect the original contents. This adds to the authentic experience at the cottage, but some visitors may wish to time their visit to take advantage of the longer, lighter days of summer.
History
Article
History of Clouds Hill
Discover more about the history of those who lived at Clouds Hill, once a woodsman's cottage and then an isolated retreat for various residents including TE Lawrence.
Article
Clouds Hill One Hundred Years Ago: A Winter Visitor
January 1924 Clouds Hill saw the first recorded visit of Florence Hardy - the wife of Thomas Hardy, Dorset's famous poet and author.
Our work
Article
Our work at Clouds Hill
Learn about the work we do to look after Clouds Hill and care for its collection, from maintaining stable humidity levels to surveyors monitoring the fragile building itself
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Clouds Hill.