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.

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From 14/09/2024 until 01/08/2026
Starts 09:00 until 18:00

Stourhead House and Gardens Trip

On 28/09/2024
Starts 12:00

10th DORCHESTER LITERARY FESTIVAL

From 12/10/2024 until 19/10/2024
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MARK CHUTTER A LITERARY WALK – WESSEX WRITERS

On 13/10/2024
Starts 12:00 until 14:00