Dorchester

Introducing Dorchester

Thomas Hardy connections abound around Dorchester, which doubles in his novels as the market town of Casterbridge. Hardy was born just outside Dorchester in the village of Higher Bockhampton, and the author lived here for much of his life; its solid red-brick streets, stately Georgian townhouses and agricultural heritage seem to have held an enduring fascination for him, and the place certainly seems immediately familiar if you’ve ever read any of his novels. Hardy’s memory lingers on at two of his former homes; for something less literary there are some good restaurants scattered around towns, as well as some odd museums dedicated to dinosaurs, teddy bears, Tutankhamen and the Terracotta Warriors.

Last updated: Sep 19, 2008