Skip to content
Skip to content

Thomas Hardy Walk - Hardy's Cottage to Max Gate (return)

Join us on a free guided walk from Thomas Hardy's birthplace to Max Gate, the house Hardy designed, built and lived in until he died.

  • Booking essential
  • Free event (admission applies)

This is a peaceful walk starting at the birthplace of Thomas Hardy and continuing through the landscape he grew up, before arriving at Max Gate, the house Hardy lived and died.

We will also take a detour to Stinsford St Michael, the resting place of Thomas Hardy's two wives and where Hardy's heart was laid to rest.

It is 5km from Hardy's Cottage to Max Gate, making the walk 10km in total. We will walk back the same way we came so this is a linear route. You have the option of ending the walk at Max Gate if you wish, please inform our guide of this when you arrive.

We expect the itinerary for the walk to look like this: 10.30 - Meet at Hardy’s Cottage, 12.00 – Reach Max Gate, 13.00 - Depart Max Gate for Hardy’s Cottage, 14.30 – Arrive back at Hardy’s Cottage. There is then the option for walkers to join a tour of Hardy's Cottage, which must be booked and paid for independently and in advance.

It is important to note the walk goes to Max Gate where you will have the opportunity to spend one hour at the house. You do not need to book for this but you will have to pay an entrance fee to enter the house, or if you are a National Trust member you can enter for free, please bring your membership card.

If you wish to visit Hardy's Cottage please book this independently, in advance, via our website or by calling 0344 249 1895. We would recommend booking onto the 15.00 tour. Hardy’s Cottage tickets are released every Thursday and will open four weeks in advance.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Booking details

Call 0344 249 1895

Meeting point

Please meet by the gate to Thomas Hardy's Cottage at 10.30am.

What to bring and wear

Wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Some areas can be very muddy as they run close to a river. This is a long day so please bring refreshments/lunch.

Accessibility

In places the ground is uneven and some footpaths are very narrow. This walk in not suitable for prams or pushchairs.

Other

If you wish to visit Hardy's Cottage please book this independently via our website or by calling 0344 249 1895. We would recommend booking onto the 15.00 tour. Hardy’s Cottage tickets are released every Thursday and will open four weeks in advance. The walk also goes to Max Gate where you will have the opportunity to spend one hour at this house. You do not need to book for this but you will have to pay an entrance fee to enter the house, or if you are a National Trust member, please bring your membership card. Please ensure you book your place on this walk as,although free, we have limited spaces. If you wish to end your walk at Max Gate it is your responsibility to make plans for your onward journey, please ensure you inform our guide of this decision as soon as possible. Please bring lunch and refreshments. We aim to have lunch in the garden at Max Gate.

Upcoming events

Event

Hardy literary landscape walk 

Follow in the footsteps of Hardy's childhood in this guided walk through Thorncombe Wood and Rainbarrows.

Event summary

on
5 Jul to 31 Aug 2025
at
10:30 to 12:30
+ 8 other dates or times
Event

Autumn flowers in Hardy's Homes 

Visit Hardy's Homes to celebrate the arrival of autumn with both houses filled with floral displays.

Event summary

on
21 Oct to 26 Oct 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 4 other dates or times
Event

Apple pressing 

The apples in Hardy’s orchard will be ripe and ready for harvesting. Come and meet the gardeners who will be pressing the apples to make delicious apple juice.

Event summary

on
30 Oct 2025
at
11:00 to 14:00