Thomas Hardy Novel Locations

The poet and novelist Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was born in Dorset at Higher Bockhampton (Walks do108 | do114) and spent the best part of his life living in the local area (Dorchester and Weymouth).

He wrote most of his stories centred his semi-fictional South Wessex, which was an ancient Saxon kingdom in the South and West of England. Hardy invented a part real, part imaginary country, altering the real names of local places to suit his novels.

If you have read 'Far From the Madding Crowd', 'Under the Greenwood Tree', 'The Mayor of Casterbridge', 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles', or any of Thomas Hardy's books you may find these 'translations' useful. We've included links to walks to some of these locations (we'll be adding more soon).

Athelhampton - Athelhall
(The Waiting Supper - a short story - Walk do139)

Beaminster - Emminster

Bere Regis - Kingsbere

Bournemouth - Sandbourne

Bridport - Port Bready

Cerne Abbas - Abbot's Cernel

Dorchester - Casterbridge (The Mayor of Casterbridge)

Egton Heath - Puddletown Forest

Eggardon Hill - Haggardon Hill (The Trumpet-Major - Walk do103)

Higher Bockhampton - Upper Mellstock (Walks do108 | do114)

Lower Bockhampton - Lower Mellstock (Walks do108 | do114)

Marnhull - Marlott

Melbury Osmond - Great Hintock

Pilsdon Pen - Pilsdon Crest

Poole - Havenpool

Portland - Isle of Slingers

Puddletown - Weatherbury (Walks do108)

Salisbury - Melchester

Shaftesbury - Shaston Sherborne - Sherton Abbas

Stinsford - Mellstock
(Under the Greenwood Tree - Walks do108 | do114)

Sturminster Newton - Stourcastle

Swanage - Knollsea

Wareham - Angelbury

West Stafford - Woodsford

Weymouth - Budmouth Regis

Wimborne Minster - Warborne