3 Best Sights in Dorchester, The South

Largely unchanged since it was built in 1485, this outstandingly well-preserved example of domestic Tudor architecture (with 16th- and 20th-century additions) turns up as "Athelhall" in some of Thomas Hardy's writings. (Hardy was a frequent visitor and his father, a stonemason, worked on roof repairs here.) Don't miss the Tudor-era Great Hall, still with its original linenfold paneling, heraldic stained glass, and vaulted hammer-beam timber roof. The paneled Library contains more than 3,000 books. Outside, 20 acres of grounds include eight formal walled gardens created in the 19th century and 12 yew pyramids, each 30 feet high.

Thomas Hardy's grandfather built this small thatch-and-cob cottage, where the writer was born in 1840, and little has changed since the family left. Here Hardy grew up and wrote many of his early works, including Far from the Madding Crowd, at a desk you can still see. Access is by foot only via a walk through ancient woodland or down a country lane from the parking lot, where a visitor center has information about the surrounding landscape and trails so you can follow in Hardy's footsteps. Admission is by prebooked one-hour guided tour only.

Thomas Hardy lived in Max Gate from 1885 until his death in 1928. An architect by profession, Hardy designed the handsome Victorian house himself, and visitors can see the study where he wrote Tess of the d'Urbervilles, The Mayor of Casterbridge, and Jude the Obscure. The dining room, the drawing room, and the garden (complete with a small cemetery for the family pets, some with headstones carved by Hardy himself) are open to the public. Admission is by one-hour prebooked guided tour only.