In 1885, Thomas Hardy and his wife Emma moved into Max Gate, the Victorian home which he designed and his brother built.

Max Gate was Hardy’s home for forty years, until he died in 1928 but whilst there he wrote some of his most famous works, The Mayor of Casterbridge’, ‘The Woodlanders’, ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’, ‘Jude the Obscure’, ‘The Dynasts’ as well as numerous poems and short stories.

His two-volume “autobiography,” ‘The Early Life of Thomas Hardy’, 1840-1891 and ‘The Later Years of Thomas Hardy’, 1892-1928 were published under his second wife’s name, Florence Hardy, in accordance with Hardy’s instructions prior to his death.

Today, Max Gate is under care of the National Trust, as is Hardy’s Cottage in Bockhampton. Both of these historic locations are open to the public and are well worth a visit if you are following the Hardy Trail.

Continue the Thomas Hardy Trail by taking in Hardy’s Cottage where Thomas Hardy was born and grew up and the Dorchester County Museum where you can see a reconstruction of Thomas Hardy’s Study.

Tickets must be pre-booked online via the website or by phoning the booking line 0344 249 1895.