A small hamlet, much loved by Hardy, which features in ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ and a number of his poems.

Thomas Hardy was christened here at the medieval church of St Michael which is where his family also served for many years.

Hardy’s ashes are interred in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey but his heart is buried here in Stinsford next to his wives, Emma and Florence plus other members of his family. The church also contains other family memorials and a stained glass window with an inscription to the writer himself.

A must visit for any Hardy fan.