Walking Holidays and Private Tours

DAY ONE - Bere Regis to Athelhampton 6.5 miles - Easy Arrive Dorchester (by train or car) and take a short taxi ride to Bere Regis for a gentle 6.5 mile walk to Athelhampton House. Bere Regis is the home of the D'Urbeville family and Tess spends a night amongst their tombs in the church here. You then walk along the River Piddle to reach Athelhampton, where Thomas Hardy's great friends lived and where he helped them redesign their gardens. From here you will be transferred to the King's Arms in Dorchester. DAY TWO - Higher Bockhampton to Dorchester 11 miles - Easy - Shorter options of 7 or 4 miles Today you have the choice of a 4, 7 or 11 mile walk, all of which cross Egdon Heath, the setting for Return of The Native, to visit the cottage where he was born and where he wrote Under The Greenwood Tree and Far From The Madding Crowd. You will also visit Mellstock Church where his heart lies buried alongside his two wives and his parents before walking on to Dorchester and back to your hotel. DAY THREE - Max Gate to Dorchester 3.5 miles - Easy A day spent exploring Hardy's Casterbridge including Max Gate, the home which Hardy designed and built for himself on the outskirts of the town. You start with a short transfer across town to Max Gate. Afterwards, you stroll into town along the river, passing Hangman's Cottage which featured in The Withered Arm. You then take a walk past Hardy's statue to follow the Roman walks to Maumbury Rings before passing the fictional home of The Mayor of Casterbridge. On then to the County Museum which has a permanent exhibition on Thomas Hardy's life and works, his personal possessions and a recreation of his study from Max Gate before heading home.