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Lawrence of Arabia or to give his correct name Colonel T.E. Lawrence, had strong connections with Dorset, living here from 1923 to 1935 in a small cottage just outside Bovington, called 'Clouds Hill'.
This 1808 built, old estate workers cottage, is now owned by The National Trust and is open to the public from April to October.


Clouds Hill:
It was whilst he was living at 'Clouds Hill', which to him were happy years, that he finished his book "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom".
Unfortunately Lawrence was killed riding his motorbike about 500 metres from the cottage, when he swerved to avoid a local boy on a delivery bike, early one morning. This particular road is still a long, straight, slightly down hill stretch, ideally suited for a blast on a bike, so I am told. I would not of course condone such behaviour, even though my own bike is shown in the photograph.(an 850 cc Moto Guzzi, Le Mans)


Brough Superior:
The bike that Lawrence was riding was a Brough Superior, and even though it was 1935, these bikes were very fast and Lawrence by all accounts was not known for hanging around. Lawrence had seven Brough`s over a period of years, constantly changing them and supposedly asking the factory for tuned versions, over the already fast standard bikes. ( See my "link page" for a site about these wonderful bikes. )


Visiting:-
If you leave the cottage and head down towards Bovington for 587 metres, on your left-hand side before the buildings start, you will find a large tarmac pull-in. There by the side of the road under a small tree you will find the simple memorial stone shown in the photograph.

The inscription reads:-
" Near this spot
Lawrence of Arabia crashed on his motorcycle
and was fatally injured
13th May 1935 "

Co-Ords: 382590 090390 / SY 825903  

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