The Dorset Holiday Specialists
One Centre Walking Holidays
Hardy's Dorset
A series of fairly easy walks exploring the Dorset of Thomas Hardy, from his birthplace at Higher Bockhampton to his heart's final resting place at Stinsford and taking in some of the places which inspired his works.
No. of nights:
7
4 - 7 miles
Daily distance:
Grade:
Easy
Price:
£1,020 pp
Availability:
Apr - Oct
Meals:
Breakfasts & picnics
Starting price is based on two people sharing and includes accommodation at a comfortable inn, breakfast, picnic lunch and drop-off and collection from your walk. We can also arrange transfers from airports and stations at an additional cost if required.
ITINERARY
Day One - Arrive at your accommodation and settle in.
Day Two - "Under The Greenwood Tree" - Start the day with a visit to Thomas Hardy's birthplace before taking a four mile stroll across the heath which he would have known so well and ending at Stinsford where his heart lies buried alongside his two wives and parents.
Day Three - " The Woodlanders" - This day starts high on Batcombe Hill where legends abound around The Cross and Hand, then taking in Melbury Osmond (setting for The Woodlanders and where Hardy's mother was born) before passing by magnificent Melbury House and through its estate to the village of Evershot (Evershead in Tess of The D'Urbervilles) with the welcoming pub he called The Sow and Acorn.
Day Four - "Tess of The D'Urbervilles" - A stroll around Hardy's Vale of Little Dairies, aka The Blackmore Vale, exploring the area where Tess of the D'Urbevilles was born and where Thomas Hardy wrote lived when he wrote The Return of The Native.
Day Five - "The Mayor of Casterbridge" - A rest today to visit Max Gate, the home which Hardy built for himself just outside Dorchester (Casterbridge) and explore the county town including the Dorset Museum to see the study which he bequeathed to it.
Day Six - "Return of The Native" - A day exploring the vanishing heathlands on which Hardy based his novel and taking in Bere Regis (Kingsbere) to see the tomb of the D'Urbervilles.
Day Seven - "Middleton Abbey" - Today's walk starts high on Bulbarrow looking out over The Vale of Little Dairies again before dropping down to the picturesque village of Milton Abbas with a visit to the medieval abbey and the model village of thatched cottages.
Day Eight - Return home
