The Hand of Ethelberta Walk

Sunday 12th April 2026
Starts 11:15 until 13:30
Wareham Railway Station, Northport, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4AS

The Hand of Ethelberta WALK

Date: Sunday, 12th April 2026

Time: 11.20am to 1.30pm

Cost: FREE THS Members / £5 Non-Members*

*Free to Non-members taking part in The HoE Study Day

Meet: Outside Wareham Railway Station at 11.20am

OR Dorchester South Railway Station at 10.50am if travelling by train

BOOK ONLINE

"Can You Tell Us the Way, Sir, to the Hotel Bold Soldier?"
*Illustration by George du Maurier*

This town-based walk will explore the literary connections of Wareham (Hardy’s Anglebury), which sits at the entrance to the Isle of Purbeck on the meandering rivers Frome and Piddle. The sites linked to Hardy’s ‘Desperate Remedies’ and ‘The Hand of Ethelberta’ will be located, and a visit made to the ancient church of St Martin’s to see the life-sized effigy of T. E. Lawrence. The turbulent history of the town will also be explored, including a walk around the Saxon walls.

Refreshments and public toilets are available in the town.

Please wear sturdy footwear and waterproofs and/or sunhat depending on what the weather dictates!

Only assistance dogs please due to the urban nature of the walk.

The walk will conclude in Wareham Centre at 13.30.

Attendees may either walk back to Wareham station to take the 14.03 to Dorchester, arriving back at 14.23, or the later train at 15.03, back in Dorchester at 15.23, allowing time for lunch in Wareham (not included in the ticket price).

"All Before Them Was a Sheet of Whiteness"
Illustrated by George du Maurier

Train Option

Meet at Dorchester South Railway Station at 10.50am to take the train to Wareham, departing at 11.00. Arrival in Wareham is 11.20.

Attendees buy their own tickets. Alternatively attendees can meet at Wareham station carpark at 11.20.

The walk will conclude in Wareham Centre at 13.30. Attendees may either walk back to Wareham station to take the 14.03 to Dorchester, back at 14.23, or the later train at 15.03, back in Dorchester 15.23, which will allow time for lunch in Wareham.

There is car parking available at Wareham station for £1.60 on a Sunday (price subject to change).