Clouds Hill, Wareham, Dorset

An isolated cottage in the heart of Dorset bought by Lawrence of Arabia as a retreat.

• The bunkroom is lined floor to ceiling with aluminium foil.
• Lawrence’s gramophone and record collection are being restored.
• The property provides an intriguing insight into Lawrence’s personality.

T E Lawrence was bitterly disappointed by the failure of his political campaign to advance the Arab cause. He was exhausted by wearisome years of war and politics. Hounded by the press he joined the RAF under an assumed name but was soon discovered by the press and discharged.

Convinced that life in the ranks was his only course, he enlisted in the Tank Corps at Bovington, Dorset and found a retreat from camp life in Clouds Hill Cottage. He described his feelings: “the army is loathsome, Dorsetshire beautiful”.