Set in the heart of Hardy Country, the new visitor centre was opened in September 2014 as a facility for local people and visitors to discover more about the life and works of Thomas Hardy.
The new visitor centre is located on the edge of Thorncombe Wood, a short walk from Hardy’s Cottage and has been “sensitively designed” to have minimal impact on the landscape by utilising natural materials including untreated cedar.
Comprising a new display/exhibition area, learning and community space, café, toilet facilities and ranger’s workshop, the £1m visitor centre was constructed by Morgan Sindall who engaged Avery Carpentry Contractors Ltd. to construct the timber external walls, roof and cladding, together with 1st & 2nd fix carpentry.
