subject: The charms of Mid Dorset [print this page] The charms of Mid Dorset The charms of Mid Dorset
The landscapes and wild heathlands of mid-Dorset have been forever enshrined in prose as the memorable settings of many Thomas Hardy novels. This area is Thomas Hardy country, his home throughout all of his life. A reading of The Return of the Native, with its vivid descriptions of 'Egdon Heath', will add the joy of recognition to exploration of this beautiful region. Hardy was born in Higher Bockhampton, a hamlet in the parish of Stinsford and it was Stinsford that provided the inspiration for the fictional town of Mellstock' in his novel Under the Greenwood Tree. Among the vast stretches of heath where rare wild flowers and brackens grow in abundance, are the other towns which appear in his novels, namely Dorchester (Caster bridge'), Bere Regis (Kingsbere'), Weymouth (Budmouth'), and Puddletown (Weatherbury').
South of the heath is a region associated with another noted English writer. T. E. Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia', moved to a cottage north of Moreton after he left the Royal Air Force, in which he had served as Aircraftman Shaw'. The solitude of this isolated yet not inhospitable countryside seems to be emphasised by the atomic energy station at nearby Winfrith. By contrast, along the coast lie unspoilt chalk cliffs and the beauty spot of Lulworth Cove, one of the gems of the South.
Bere Regis
Bere Regis is a village situated in the Purbeck region of Dorset and is featured in the Domesday Book.. The church has become a place of interest for admirers of Tess of the D' Urbervilles, Hardy's penultimate novel, first published in 1891. It features prominently in the novel and its heroine Tess was buried there. Hardy based the D'urbervilles' on the old Dorset family of Turberville and the damaged tombs and stained glass family coats of arms can be seen in the church. On nearby Woodbury Hill stand the remains of an Iron Age fortification. From there the views across heath and river valleys stretch eastwards towards Poole.
Dorchester
Dorchester is a busy and vibrant county town. The shopping centre in south Street combines chain stores, independent local shops and street stalls. Wednesday is market day and Thomas Hardy is said to have once commented that during these days the busy streets were reminiscent of Ancient Rome. In the Dorset County Museum a collection of Roman and pre-Roman finds can be seen along with Thomas Hardy manuscripts and a reconstruction of his study at Max Gate, his former home. Other sites of interest in Dorchester include The Keep Military Museum, which boasts an array of medals, artefacts, weapons, uniforms and digital presentations amongst other things. For an outing suitable for al the family, the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum has a collection ranging from antique bears to today's familiar television favourites. The southern side of Dorchester is also home to Maiden Castle the largest and most complex Iron Age hill fort in Britain. The castle was first built in 600BC over the remains of a Neolithic settlement.
Lulworth
Lulworth is a popular and well know tourist spot. West Lulworth includes the chalk cliffs of Lulworth Cove. A climb and walk in a westerly direction will leads you to Man o' War Bay and to Durdle Door, the massive limestone arch, jutting out to sea. East Lulworth, is an attractive village dominated by the estates of the Weld family, including their castle set acres of beautiful woodland.
Milton Abbas
The pretty,white-washed, thatched cottages line the street of Milton Abbas, often appearing on postcards of rural Dorset. One of Dorset's main summer events is hosted here when every two years the current residents hold the historic country fair celebrating the rebuilding of the present village over 225 years ago.
Weymouth
Weymouth is a popular seaside resort with clean sandy beaches and bustling harbours. The town boasts a year-round programme of events, which range from the International Beach Kite Festival to Harley Davidson Parades, Beach Volleyball Championships and Summer Firework nights. The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, can be found in nearby Portland Harbour. This will be the location of the sailing events in the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games.
Wool
Wool is a charming village on the River Frome, with a beautiful 17th-century bridge. Elizabethan Woolbridge Manor was employed by Thomas Hardy in Tess of the if Urbervilles as the location of Tess and Angel Clare's Wedding night. On the staircase The manor is now a hotel, and on its staircase the two faint portraits of the real Turberville family can be seen.
