Clouds Hill

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Clouds Hill is an isolated cottage near Wareham in the county of Dorset in South West England. It is the former home of T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") and is now run as a museum by the National Trust.

The front of Clouds Hill
The front of Clouds Hill

Contents

[edit] History

Lawrence first rented the cottage in 1923 while stationed at Bovington Camp with the Tank Corps, and he purchased it in 1925. He wrote "Nothing in Clouds Hill is to be a care upon the world. While I have it there shall be nothing exquisite or unique in it. Nothing to anchor me."

The garage of Clouds Hill containing an exhibit on the life of Lawrence
The garage of Clouds Hill containing an exhibit on the life of Lawrence

In 1935, he left the RAF and returned to Clouds Hill. While living here, he suffered severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident and died in the Camp hospital. His heir, his brother Prof. A.W. Lawrence gave Clouds Hill to the National Trust. It is now a museum, devoted to Lawrence.

The cottage remains largely as Lawrence left it at his death. It features an exhibition detailing Lawrence's extraordinary life, and most of his original furniture and possessions. The cottage reflects his complex personality and close links to the Middle East. It is open to visitors from the end of March to the beginning of October, Thursday – Sunday.

[edit] Sleeping bags

The back of the cottage
The back of the cottage

Lawrence reserved a sleeping bag for guests and visitors who stayed overnight. In 1965 it was stolen. The bag's disappearance coincided with the release of Lawrence of Arabia, the film which popularised his story. It was thought the theft could have been inspired by the publicity and excitement generated by the film.

"The sleeping bag that served as a guest bed to some of the 20th century's most distinguished authors at TE Lawrence's weekend retreat has been returned 36 years after it was stolen. National Trust custodians of Clouds Hill, the author's cottage in Dorset, were amazed when a weather-beaten package from Belgium arrived containing the sleeping bag, along with a sheepish note that read: 'This is yours'. The bag embroidered with the word 'tuum', was provided for guests at the cottage, while Lawrence slept on the floor in the other sleeping bag, marked 'meum'. According to Jeremy Wilson, Lawrence's biographer, tuum's occupants included George Bernard Shaw, E. M. Forster and Robert Graves." [1]

[edit] Address

Clouds Hill
Wareham, Dorset BH20 7NQ
Telephone: 01929 405616

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Lawrence of Arabia's stolen sleeping bag is posted home after 36 years" by Anna Whitney in The Independent, 9 April, 2001, page 5

[edit] External links