You enter the house through the porch (extended in 1908) into the Hall and thence into the Dining Room (1). Note the rather small window with its high sill, to prevent casual visitors peering in, and unusual sash shutters; the moveable bookcases on either side of the fire-place are mentioned by T.E. Lawrence in his diary. Several items of Hardy's furniture, kindly loaned by the Dorset County Museum, can be seen here, including the oak gate-legged table, the two chairs with blue seats and the bookcase with marquetry panels. The extension to the room was added in the 1895 enlargement of the house. Here Hardy entertained many distinguished guests to lunch or dinner,including the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), W.B. Yeats and Henry Newbolt and Lady Asquith.