
Highlights
- Rural England and the spectacular Jurassic Coast
- Lyme Regis, Dorchester, Stinsford
- Private visit to Mapperton House
- Thomas Hardy and other famous literary and film locations
- Rare visit to a colony of nesting mute swans
Follow in Thomas Hardy's footsteps to find a landscape where little has changed in a century or more. We hike quiet lanes, past thatched cottages and through delightful villages, market towns and tiny harbors. This Walk offers a magnificent view from the sea of the 185 million years of the earth's history in the stunning Jurassic Coast cliffs and coast.
Sunday Overnight: Bridge House Hotel
Monday Overnight: Bridge House Hotel
Tuesday Overnight: Bridge House Hotel
Wednesday Overnight: Bridge House Hotel
Thursday Overnight: Summer Lodge Country House
Friday Overnight: Summer Lodge Country House
Saturday

7-12 miles walking per day.
TRIP DETAILS
(Single Supplement $675.00)
Dates

Departure: Dorchester South Rail Station

Hotels - Where we stay

Bridge House Hotel
In the heart of Beaminster (Emminster in Hardys Wessex), 700-year-old BridgeHouse is a Dorset country house hotel thats full of character. One of the oldest buildings in this small, unspoiled town, originally a home for a dozen priests, it is now a luxury boutique-style hotel. The public rooms reflect the buildings history, from its medieval origins to the paneled Georgian dining room and there is a private, walled garden. Each of the 13 guest rooms has been individually styled, all are ensuite, with modern bathrooms, bathrobes, toiletries, flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi, digital telephone, tea and coffee making facilities. With some of Britain's finest farmers, growers and fishermen on the doorstep, the hotel's restaurant - the Beaminster Brasserie - has a reputation for home-grown fresh and modern British food served in a choice of dining areas including al fresco.
Website: http://www.bridge-house.co.uk/

Summer Lodge Country House
A fine listed Georgian house in the picturesque village of Evershot, the hotel, part of which was designed by Thomas Hardy, is set in four acres of beautiful gardens and grounds with a croquet lawn, heated pool and spa. It adjoins a 600-acre deerpark. Built in 1798 as a dower house by the 2nd Earl of Ilchester, the property was enlarged in 1893 with a second floor added by the 6th Earl who commissioned his friend and local author, Thomas Hardy, (an architect by profession) to draw up the plans. Each of the 20 individually decorated bedrooms has a plasma-screen TV, DVD player, radio, air conditioning, and complimentary high-speed WiFi. Luxury toiletries, fresh fruit, scented candles and homemade shortbread are also provided. Dine in the hotels renowned restaurant and enjoy traditional English dishes tempered with a twist of modern European, offering fine ingredients, many sourced locally and from the hotel gardens.
Website: http://www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk
Start planning your trip
What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation
- Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
- A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
- Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
- Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
- Demonstrations, wine tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
- All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
- Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
- First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
- All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
- Wine with dinner
- On-trail snacks and refreshments
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants