This is a 7 hour part guided day tour where you’ll have free time visiting the Thomas Hardy and Lawrence of Arabia sites.
Far from the Madding Crowd, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Life’s Little Ironies – If you’ve heard of these titles, then you know who this tour relates to.
One of the most renowned poets and novelists in English literary history, Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in the English village of Higher Bockhampton in the county of Dorset.
Come with us and visit the place of his birth and where he spent his childhood. We also visit the house he built for himself and his first wife Emma, Max Gate. It was these very places that he wrote several of his short stories, poetry and novels including ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ and ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’. Finally we visit his resting place in the picturesque village of Stinsford. Take your time whilst you wander through St Michael’s Church where Hardy was in a choir as a boy.
A bucket list tour for every Hardy enthusiast!
Only want to travel with your family or friends? Try one of our private tours, click below:
PRIVATE TOURPortland – 9.30am
Weymouth train station – 10am
Dorchester train station – 10.15am
Hotel, B&B pick up offered – 10.30am
Departure times can vary depending on your start location. You can choose your departure location and time during the booking process.
More about Hardy:
Thomas Hardy was born in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, England on June 2, 1840, the eldest son of Thomas Hardy and Jemima (Hand) Hardy. His father was a stonemason and builder; his mother passed on her love of reading and books to her son. Hardy had somewhat of an isolated life on the open fields of the region. He grew up living and examining rural life, which figures prominently in many of his novels. His primary school education lasted until he was sixteen, at which time he was sent to an apprenticeship with John Hicks, a local architect.
Hardy died in 1928 at Max Gate, a house he built for himself and his first wife, Emma Lavinia Gifford, in Dorchester, a few miles from his birthplace. We visit the his statue, birthplace the evocative cob and thatch cottage & visitor centre, the house he built Max Gate and his final resting place. If you are a Hardy fan, then this is one tour you dont want to miss!
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA – BOVINGTON
‘I’ve a hut in a wood near camp wherein I spend my spare evenings’ – the words of the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, about Clouds Hill.
We Visit this tiny isolated cottage in the heart of Dorset was the home of an extraordinary man: T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. He furnished the rooms of his rural retreat to his own personal taste and they are much as he left them, giving an insight into the complex personality of the writer, warrior and friend of Thomas Hardy. Please note: Because the cottage is much as Lawrence left it, light levels are kept low to protect the original contents. This adds to the authentic experience at the cottage, but some visitors may wish to time their visit to take advantage of the longer, lighter days of summer. As many visitors arrive in the first half hour after opening you may find it quieter after 11.30am.
All tours are “Part Guided”.
At each sight your guide with give you a brief description of the area, orientate you and talk to you about its history. You will then have FREE TIME to explore the area as you wish before moving on to the next sight.
