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Dorset Escapes
Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy was born just outside the county town of Dorchester and this is where you will stay during your holiday, in the historic hotel where he wrote much of The Mayor of Casterbridge whilst looking out over the high street below.

A black and white photograph of the author Thomas Hardy.

No. of nights:

5

Availability:

May to Sept

Price:

£940 pp

Price includes accommodation at a comfortable inn, breakfast and tours (excluding entrance fees) and are based on two people sharing.  We can also book lunch and dinner and arrange transfers from airports and stations at additional cost.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrive at your accommodation and settle in.

Day 2 - Visit Hardy's Cottage, his birthplace, set amongst a peaceful landscape of woodland and heath and where he wrote Far From The Madding Crowd and Under The Greenwood Tree. Wander the surrounding countryside and then visit Stinsford Church where his heart lies buried alongside his family and both his wives.

Day 3 - A tour of north Dorset where he lived with his first wife and where he wrote Return of The Native. See the setting for Tess's Cottage, The Pure Drop Inn and Rollivers before heading back through some of the most bucolic countryside in England.

Day 4 - A day at leisure to explore Dorchester and its Hardy connections. See his original study which he left to the County Museum, stroll around Maumbury Rings which features in his novels and the Shire Hall old courthouse.

Day 5 - Visit Max Gate, the home Hardy designed and built for himself and where he lived until the end of his life. Here he wrote his later novels including Tess of The D'Urbervilles and Jude The Obscure. Afterwards, take a drive passing some of the settings for his novels and visit the tomb of the D'Ubervilles.

Day 6 - Head home after a hearty breakfast.

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