Enjoy a 'Park and Stride' from Kingston Maurward to two of Thomas Hardy's homes. Both of these short walks start at Hardy's Desperate Remedies 'Knapwater House' (Kingston Maurward). One takes you to his childhood home, Hardy's Cottage. The other links the Kingston Maurward estate, on which Hardy was raised, with Max Gate, the home he built from his literary successes.
Route maps
Kingston Maurward Walkabout 1
Kingston Maurward to Hardy's Cottage (1.8 miles or 2.7 miles if return via Lower Bockhampton)
Kingston Maurward Walkabout 2
Kingston Maurward to Max Gate (1.6 miles or 2.7 miles via Grey's Bridge)
The Kingston Maurward Walkabouts have been developed by The National Trust and Kingston Maurward College in association with Dorset Council.