Archive for November, 2009

The lovely rural county of Dorset is where the victorian novelist and poet Thomas Hardy lived and set his novels. A much neglected county by visitors to Britain as it is quite remote from the main motorways….and all the more attractive for it! Many of these places have changed little since Hardy’s time. Here are some examples:

Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, is Casterbridge most notably the location for the Major of Casterbridge

Bere Regis is Kingsbere. The town features in Tess and Far From the Madding Crowd. Tess set up her family’s bed under the Turberville window in the south wall of the church, and inside the church are the tombs of the Turbervilles.

Puddletown is Weatherbury. In Far From the Madding Crowd, Troy spent the night in the church porch.

Cerne Abbas is Abbot’s Cernel. This village featured in The Woodlanders and Tess of the d’Urbervilles. The tithe barn in Cerne Abbas may also be the model for the great barn in Far From the Madding Crowd.

Weymouth is Budmouth Regis . Weymouth features in Under the Greenwood Tree.

Woolbridge Manor in Wool was Hardy’s Wellbridge Manor, where Angel Clare and Tess spent their honeymoon.

Bournemouth is Sandborne. Tess lived here with Alec d’Urberville, and the town also features in The Well-Beloved and Jude the Obscure.

Poole is Havenpool. In The Mayor of Casterbridge, Newson landed here on his return from Newfoundland. The town features in two poems, The Chapel Organist and The Mongrel.

Salisbury is Melchester. In Jude the Obscure, Jude worked at Salisbury Cathedral, and Sue and Phillotson were married in St. Thomas Church. Sue attended the Teacher Training College as did Hardy’s two sisters in real life. It was at nearby Stonehenge that Tess was arrested in Tess of the d’Urbervilles.

Shaftesbury is Shaston. In Jude the Obscure, Philotson was schoolmaster here

Sherborne is Sherton Abbas. Giles Winterborne sold his apple trees in the Market Place here in The Woodlanders, and Sherborne Abbey also features in the novel

Melbury Osmond is Great Hintock . The Woodlanders final scene takes place in the churchyard.

Beaminster is Emminster In Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Angel Clare’s father was vicar here.

Bridport is Port Bredy. Bridport is the setting for the story Fellow-Townsmen, and the nearby secluded harbour of West Bay is mentioned in The Woodlanders.

Portland is the Isle of Slingers. The Isle of Portland, joined to the mainland by the narrow strand of Chesil Beach, is the setting for The Well-Beloved.

With thanks to Britain Express. www.britainexpress.com