Clouds Hill
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Clouds Hill is an isolated cottage in the county of Dorset in South West England. It is the former home of T. E. Lawrence and is now run as a museum by the National Trust.
Lawrence first rented the house in 1923. It was purchased by T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") in 1925. It is now a museum devoted to Lawrence in the ownership of the National Trust. The cottage remains as Lawrence left it upon his death. The cottage contains an exhibition detailing Lawrence's extraordinary life including most of his original furniture and posessions. The cottage reflects heavily on his complex personality and close links to the Middle East.The house is open to visitors from the end of March to the beginning of October from Thursday to Sunday.
[edit] Sleeping bags
Lawrence reserved a sleeping bag for guests and visitors who stayed overnight. In 1965 the sleeping bag was stolen from the National Trust. The bag's disappearance in 1965 coincided with the release of Lawrence of Arabia, the film which immortalised its owner. It was thought the theft could have been inspired by the publicity and excitement generated by the film.
The sleeping bag which served as a guest bed to some of the 20th century's most distinguished authors at TE Lawrence's weekend retreat was returned in 2001 when a man from Belgium arrived containing the sleeping bag along with a note which said: "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, Laurence's biographer, 'tuum's' occupants included George Bernard Shaw, EM Forster and Robert Graves.
[edit] Address
Clouds Hill Wareham, Dorset BH20 7NQ Telephone: 01929 405616
