Mellstock Dorset

Hardys Mellstock (Stinsford Parish) has changed very little in the 179 years since he was born the human population has dwindled although the number of dwellings has more than doubled. Mellstock is best explored on foot starting in the territory of his first novel, Desperate Remedies,where Knapwater House and the Old Manor still match Hardys descriptions. From here you can follow his childhood route from Dorchester to the farmyard of The Oxen, built by Hardys father, and then along Veterans Alley through the landscape of Under the Greenwood Tree to Hardys Cottage, Tranter Dewys home. Return across the heath to Rushy Pond and Lower Mellstock, following in the footsteps of the Mellstock Quire to reach Mellstock church and graveyard. Here his heart lies buried between the bodies of his two wives and beside his siblings and generations of his ancestors, close by the earthly remains of many of the original characters from this partly real partly dream country.

Society calendar

Upcoming events

Tess, a feminist vision of Thomas Hardy's classic novel

From 31/01/2024 until 24/06/2024
All day event

Thomas Hardy Society Birthday Weekend

From 01/06/2024 until 02/06/2024
Starts 11:00 until 20:00

A Friendship Beyond Belief

On 07/06/2024
Starts 19:00

Dorset Opera Festival: Under the Greenwood Tree

From 23/07/2024 until 27/07/2024
Starts 19:00 until 14:00