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Have been to Max Gate at Christmas and during the summer months and each time have enjoyed visiting the home of Thomas Hardy, each time you learn something new about the author's life. The Christmas decorations are minimal but lovely all the same. Parking can be an issue sometimes, esp if larger lorries decide to deliver! Overall great place to visit…
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Date of experience: December 2019
1 Helpful vote
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It was interesting seeing all the Thomas Hardy memorabilia and the house although not big was sweet to walk around and see. The parking is not the best and there is only a help yourself little coffee and tea area but as it was a horrible rainy day it was a nice place to pop in and see. Just disappointed that the weather was too bad to then go on to Hardy’s cottage as planned to do both together.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Just off the A35 and a mile out of central Dorchester this is quite a special National Trust property. Not a massive mansion/country house but Hardy’s own designed Victorian villa with surrounding modest garden. Warm welcome, knowledgable staff and excellent booklets guide to the house. Help yourself tea coffee and cake rather than the normal commercial National Trust cafe and shop. Probably not good for small children or if you’re not good with stairs. Rooms are atmospheric and it feels like Hardy has just left. Recommended.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
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After a horrendous journey by train to get to Max Gate , 20 mins walk from town of Dorchester ,Dorset i well recommend Thomas Hardy's house . National Trust owned , Non members to pay to get in £8:30 per adult (Jan 2020 prices) The staff make you very welcome and there was a brilliant guide book which has been written by a member of the house tells you all you need to know about Max Gate . You start off downstairs next to the Drawing room and as you go round you feel the presence of Hardy himself, and his famous guests as well . Everything is in situ and as you make your way upstairs you come to his third study study room where he used to write and look out onto the garden ,You will also see the attic room where his wife Emma had her privacy . His master bedroom was very neat and tidy ..And even had a mock cooked breakfast on the bed ! Downstairs was a small kitchen area where you could make yourself a cup of tea & enjoy a slice of cake where you pay a donation and also the toilets . Outside the garden was lovely , Large , Plenty of lawn and plenty of flowers i imagine coming out in the summer , Look out for the second hand book shop and his pet cemetery .…
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Date of experience: January 2020
13 Helpful votes
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Came on a terrible stormy day to a lovely, warm reception. N o furniture is original but gives an idea of what it would have been like to live there. Given a guide book to help around the house and plenty of info in each room. Spread over 3 floors so much to see and appreciate. Small refreshments area in the old kitchen - self service but after all this is just a normal house so no way could it incorporate a full-blown café as one person requested! Small gist shop too in the kitchen. Could not tour the garden due to the weather but it was a nice touch when the piano was played with carols - this could be hear all over the house. Parking is a problem but worth the effort.…
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Date of experience: December 2019
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